CLARKESVILLE — With delays in federal SNAP benefits affecting thousands of northeast Georgia residents, the Habersham County Board of Commissioners has launched a countywide food and fundraising drive to support the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia.
The “Share the Harvest” campaign runs through Dec. 13 and aims to bolster supplies at the food bank’s Clayton distribution site, which serves Habersham County. A representative from the food bank will speak at Monday’s commission meeting, where commissioners are expected to issue a proclamation supporting the effort.
County Clerk Brandy Carnes said the initiative comes at a time when many households — particularly seniors — are navigating gaps in federal food assistance.
“This isn’t a political issue,” Carnes said. “Most families who receive SNAP truly need it. For every person who might take advantage, there are many more who rely on those benefits just to get by. If there are issues in the system, you fix those issues, but you don’t punish the people who depend on it.”
Carnes, a former Medicaid and SNAP caseworker, said her background in social services helped drive home the urgency of the situation.
“People don’t always think about the seniors who are affected,” she said. “At our Senior Center alone, we have dozens of older residents who get food boxes, and without their benefits they can’t afford basic staples like milk and eggs. That’s why this drive matters so much.”
Deputy Clerk Patti McLarty said the benefit delays have created immediate strain on older adults.
“It especially affects the seniors in our community,” McLarty said. “We have our Senior Center, and many of the people who come there depend on food benefits. A lot of them already rely on the center for some of their meals.”
How the drive works
The county is collecting nonperishable items at the Habersham County Administrative
Building on Jacob’s Way. All donated food must be unexpired and in non-breakable containers. High-need items include:
- Canned meats
- Peanut butter and jelly (plastic jars)
- Instant oatmeal and grits
- Cereal and protein bars
- Applesauce pouches
- Microwaveable meals
- Shelf-stable milk and juice boxes
Monetary donations may be made through the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia’s online portal. Carnes said donations have already begun to come in.
“Right now we’ve got about $620 between online donations and a couple of individuals who brought checks made out to the food bank,” she said.
To build momentum, county offices and departments will join the effort through themed challenges and displays. Carnes said staff are planning a “wall of giving” that will recognize individuals and groups who donate.
“We’re trying to get the information out and spur people to start their own collections at their businesses or wherever they can,” Carnes said. “If they have a large donation and don’t have anyone to bring it, we can go pick it up. And of course, anyone can just drop items off here at the administration building.”
‘Fill the Truck’ set for Dec. 13
All collected items will be stored at the administration building until the final “Fill the Truck” event on Dec. 13, when the food bank will bring a truck to load and transport the donations.
“We’ll keep everything here until December 13,” Carnes said. “That’s when they’ll bring their truck and we’ll have everything loaded. Unless it becomes an ungodly amount — which would be a great thing — we’ll have it all ready to go.”
Carnes said county mascots “Clerky Turkeys” and “Talky Turkey” will also participate in next week’s events to help publicize the drive and encourage community participation.
How to help
Donations may be dropped off at:
Habersham County Administrative Building
130 Jacobs Way, Clarkesville
Monday–Friday, regular business hours
For large donation pickups, contact:
County Clerk Brandy Carnes — 706-839-0215
Online donations can be made through the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. The drive continues through Dec. 13.
