The third annual Southern States Holiday Food Drive begins Nov. 11, and once again Southern States Cooperative will partner with local food banks in cities and communities throughout the southeast to help feed disadvantaged families and individuals during the holiday season. “Our nation’s farmers work hard every day to ensure that our citizens have the food and fiber that they need,” said Southern States President and CEO Tom Scribner. “Partnering with local food banks, especially during the holidays is an outstanding way to personalize this nation-wide effort on a local level.” Continuing through December 13, many Southern States locations will be working with area food banks to help fill the shelves with food that will go to families in need during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. These participating retail locations will serve as collection centers for customers who bring in canned goods and non-perishable items, and Southern States will make regular deliveries of the donated items to the food banks. “We have a responsibility both as an agriculture cooperative and as individuals to be a part of the efforts to help feed hungry people” said Turner Gravitt, Southern States Director of Community Relations, “so this Holiday Food Drive is just an extension of the commitment we have made to the community, our nation and to our world.” This ‘spirit of giving’ will benefit the local communities, but it will also be good for the participating Southern States stores. “Our associates have expressed great satisfaction as they participate in this very worthwhile effort,” said Steve Patterson, Southern States Vice President of Marketing. “We’re helping families in our communities and we’re also meeting people dropping off donations who have never been in one of our stores before, so really, everybody wins!” Anyone interested in making a contribution may contact their participating Southern States retail location for more information about the 2013 Southern States Holiday Food Drive.
