HAWKINSVILLE, Ga. — As part of 13WMAZ's "Stuff the Truck" event to feed families in Central Georgia, we're telling you how others in the community are making sure their community's stomachs are full.
Christian Friends Baptist Church in Hawkinsville partners with Middle Georgia Community Food Bank. Every second Monday of the month, volunteers from different churches come together to fill up families' cars and trucks.
Kim Aquamina works for the Newberry Foundation at Rosa's Food Pantry in Hawkinsville. She volunteered with the church and has heard people struggle during hard times.
"When I'm actually at the pantry, I get to hear the stories of the people who paid their car note and paid their rent and there was nothing left, so us filling in, it's amazing," Aquamina said.
Boxes were filled with fresh produce like sweet potatoes, grapes, and bell peppers. Each box had a 10-pound bag of chicken and different canned goods. Volunteers estimated each box was worth $100.
Troy Davis is the pastor at Christian Friends Baptist Church. He says no one should be embarrassed to ask for food.
"It's nothing to hold your head about -- times is tough right now, food's expensive, and come get you some food. It's all good," Davis said.
Joe and Mary Carter have been to multiple food drives through the food bank in the past. Mary says a lot of people in Hawkinsville depend on the food distribution.
"It's important because a lot of people don't get out to get groceries and don't have the funds to get it, and they give it," Mary Carter said.
Carter said when they come, they pick up the food and give it to their grandkids or someone who didn't "get a chance to make it out here" and they share it with them.
However, they all agree no one in Pulaski County should go to bed hungry.