Feed Fannin was awarded the Starbucks Foundation Neighborhood Grant worth $1,500.
Store manager Jonathan Barnes nominated the non-profit group dedicated to feeding those in need in Fannin County while attending a Starbucks meeting in Chicago.
Feed Fannin representative Priscilla Cashman said, “We were humbled and very grateful for this unexpected gift.”
Cashman added that the $1,500 would be used to purchase $12,000 worth of staple goods by purchasing in bulk from Atlanta and Chattanooga area food banks. “So many more area families and children will have healthy and delicious food thanks to the kindness of an area business person. Barnes took the time to learn about the pressing need and work to feed hungry folks,” she said.
Barnes first began working with Feed Fannin over the summer when he decided to donate left over baked goods to the food pantry at Family Connection. He then acquired one of Feed Fannin’s green food donation boxes for the coffee shop. And, after what Cashman calls an extensive tour of the five acre Ada Street garden property, Barnes was lead to nominate the group for the grant.
Feed Fannin volunteers harvested more than 9,000 pounds of fresh produce this year, including sweet potatoes, tomatoes, green beans and more. Cashman said, “Since 2009, Feed Fannin has donated more than $378,000 and 75,000 pounds of locally grown vegetables to the food pantry at Family Connection.” Other community involvement, she said, includes offering community gardening classes and low cost raised bed garden annual leases. The all volunteer group also gives $500 gardening grants to East Fannin, West Fannin and Blue Ridge Elementary Schools each year.
Chairman John Sugg summed it up saying, “Feed Fannin volunteers and Jonathan Barnes have at least one important characteristic in common: We care greatly about the community.
“It’s an incredible acknowledgment by a major company of the work Feed Fannin does – supply large quantities of food to the county’s needy citizens, especially the children and elderly.”