Food bank is seeking volunteers, donations

Volunteers from the Columbia County Cares food pantry will hold its annual spaghetti dinner Thursday to raise money and awareness for the fight against hunger.

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The dinner is Columbia County Cares' largest fundraiser each year and helps the food pantry replenish its supplies heading into the busy holiday season, said Nola Green, a volunteer coordinator for the nonprofit, ecumenical charity.

The food pantry provides about a week's supply of groceries to more than 400 to 450 needy families in Columbia County each month, Green said. That is a sharp increase compared to this time last year, when, director Lou Reda said, the charity averaged about 325 to 350 families per month.

"We are really low right now on all of our supplies, so it will enable us to buy more food," Green said of proceeds from the dinner. The number of families the food pantry serves is expected to increase heading into the holiday season, she said.

The dinner is being held from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Marvin United Methodist Church at the intersection of Wheeler and Belair roads. Meals cost $5 per person, or $20 for a family of four or more.

Diners can eat in or take their meals home.

Green said Columbia County Cares also is accepting donations of nonperishable food items. Canned goods, peanut butter, jelly, grits and other staples are in short supply.

The organization is also looking for volunteers to help operate the food pantry at 1959 Appling Harlem Road in Appling. The food pantry is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday.

For more information about Columbia County Cares or its spaghetti dinner, call (706) 541-2834.