On Saturday, for the sixth consecutive year, Valley Community Outreach, also known as The Village, hosted a free Valley-Wide Food Drive at the Valley Sportsplex. Despite the rainy and windy weather, an estimated dozen volunteers came out to assist with the first food distribution of the year.
“Thanks to the East Alabama Food Bank, we reached 513—children, seniors, disabled individuals, veterans, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, co-workers, the homeless, and those in need,” stated The Village.
“We are planning to hold this event monthly throughout the community. I’ve been receiving calls and texts, so we know the need is here. We couldn’t do this without our volunteers and local schools like Valley High School, whose students come out to help us, along with everyone else in the community. We have support from people from Atlanta to Birmingham; it really does take a village to accomplish what we’re doing,” said Bridgette Heard-Wilson from The Village.
“We’re looking to continue rotating the drives through various cities. We will be coming to Lanett, LaFayette, and other communities in Chambers County,” added Clint Gilder from The Village.
Although no one enjoys being publicly acknowledged, The Village wanted to take a moment to recognize the supporters who braved the rain to help.
A heartfelt thank you goes to: Kenny Johnson (KJ), Pastor Teresa Reece, Dwayne Goss (Pretty), Bridgette’s mom, Pastor Vernon Carter, “LZ,” Nakia (Ranger), Nakia’s son, Nakia’s boy (Nupe) LZ, Jennifer Hughley (TOL), Melissa Winston, who secured a van and distributed food to 40 families with limited transportation near Lanett High, Bridgette, Sandrieka, Trish, Serena Rudd, Pastor Henry Cooper, Lt. Crim, Councilwoman Krisse Story, and our amazing volunteers: Ms. Alice Hall, Gabby Rudd, Christopher Jones, Morgan Whipple, Cherry McLemore, Tocco Booker, Quinton Dowell, Gerald McLemore, Sara Crutchfield, CJ Crutchfield, Jonathan McLemore, Jim Clark, Curtis Martin, Chris “Ace” Jackson, Stephanie Stewart, Rev Chris Jackson (CJ), and Chad Jackson.
