Giving Spotlight: America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Savannah, GA

Photo Credit: America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia

Savannah is one of America’s most beautiful and historic cities. Founded in 1733, the oldest city in Georgia is brimming with examples of nearly every prominent style of 18th and 19th century architecture, and with its signature Southern Live Oak trees draped in Spanish moss it can almost feel like walking through a fairytale. But for many citizens, the problem of hunger is very real.

Founded in 1981, America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia now leads the fight to end local hunger, providing food for tens of thousands of children, seniors, and at-risk families throughout Southern Georgia.

Many of the programs at Second Harvest are entirely volunteer-run, and their teams are able to distribute over one million pounds of food per month, both feeding the hungry directly and supplying much needed food to over 285 non-profit and faith-based organizations across Southern Georgia.

One of these programs is Kids Cafe, an after-school and summer program that provides at-risk kids with hot, nutritious evening meals, a safe place to eat and stay, and even accompanying tutoring and homework help. Another volunteer-run program, Brown Bag for the Elderly, oversees the organization and delivery of over 1,800 bags of groceries per month to senior citizens in need.

Savannah is full of cultural and historical experiences that can be awe inspiring, humbling, joyful, and solemn. A trip to Savannah can give you a first hand look into our nation’s past, and embracing the opportunity to learn about it all with resources like a tour of underrepresented voices in Savannah history is sure to expand your outlook. While you’re there, a day spent volunteering at America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia could make an excellent way to give back to the community that’s sharing its history with you, and to do your part to make the future even brighter. Second Harvest is always accepting volunteers, and if you’ll be in town sometime soon, you can visit their volunteer page here, or email their Volunteer Center Coordinator here.