Clay Builders Council members, the Green Cove Springs Food Pantry, Boy Scouts and volunteers donate time, effort, food and compassion to the annual food basket giveaway.
NEFBA’s 2018 President Chris Dostie brought in reinforcements to help with the food distribution. Dostie’s daughters Leighton and Nell take a brief break with their dad.
NEFBA’s Executive Officer Bill Garrison and the Food Pantry’s Chairman of the Board Troy Nagel sharing breakfast and taking care of business.
Volunteers pack a trailer with food baskets to deliver to shut-ins and those without transportation.
The Clay Builders Council’s annual partnership with the Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs is a family affair. For the past 28 years, the two have joined with other local food banks to provide food baskets with everything needed for a traditional Christmas dinner to more than 100 families in Clay County.
“Some of our members brought their families along to help with the distribution,” said Bill Garrison, former CBC chair and current executive officer of NEFBA. “It reminded us all that this is the spirit of our association — families helping families.”
Approaching the 30th anniversary of this annual event, no one is more grateful for the ongoing partnership than Wynemal Lovell, director of the food pantry.
“When we were offered this space in 1989, it was a room in what had been a high school,” Lovell said. “Someone told the builders association about us, and they called offering to build some shelves, a reception area and a packing area. They helped us get started, and they’ve stayed committed to this ever since.”
Lovell said preparations begin several months before the holiday. She said this was the smoothest operation she’s seen in the 28 years she’s been involved.
“We receive requests from different agencies, schools and others who are aware of the needs in the county,” she said. “We then send invitations to 100 Clay residents. We deliver 50 baskets to shut-ins and the other 50 recipients drive to our distribution at St. Mary’s, where the food and other goodies are loaded into the cars. It was delightful to see young volunteers taking food to cars, interacting with children in the cars and being so compassionate.”
Volunteers from Boy Scouts Troop 424 prepared breakfast for the volunteers and were on hand to help load baskets into cars. The Humane Society supplied pet food for families with pets. This year, there was a large supply of candy that was given to children as cars came through the line.
“I am grateful that we have an opportunity to help those in need in our own community,” said Trish Kolosky, chair of the event for Clay Builders. “I am so proud of our council and our association for the help they continue to offer to Clay County residents.”
