Mt Vernon, MO – Senator Jack Goodman (R-29) today announced the kick off of the 2nd Annual Season of Hope Food Drive. He hopes to again coordinate a food drive in the 29th Senate district designed to help provide families in need with all the groceries needed to prepare a traditional Christmas dinner.
The idea of helping to host a food drive originated during a meeting Senator Goodman attended in Branson in 2009. During that meeting a constituent pointed out the need and asked Goodman if he would be interested in helping in a food drive. This challenge motivated Goodman to try and do something during the Christmas Season to help address hunger in his Senate district.
"Not only as a public servant, but as a Christian and a neighbor, I feel called to try and meet this need," Goodman said. He added, "The government is not the solution to every problem and I am grateful to the neighbors throughout the 29th District who have joined with me in addressing this need in our communities."
By most standards, last year's food drive was a success. To help facilitate the collection of donated food items, 42 food donation boxes were placed at businesses, chambers of commerce, and courthouses around the 29th Senatorial District. In addition, the effort partnered with a number of hunger-relief organizations throughout the 29th Senate District that helped to collect groceries, identify families in need of assistance, and coordinate distribution days. As part of Season of Hope, every family received either ½ of a turkey, a whole chicken or a 6lb bag of chicken filets, a box of stuffing, a 15 lb bag of potatoes or boxed mashed potatoes, canned sweet potatoes, canned vegetables, boxed macaroni and cheese, and a variety of other groceries. Overall the effort provided Christmas meals to approximately 2,000 people in the 29th Senate District. Total food donations or food purchased with donations was in excess of 17,000 lbs.
"The success of last year's Season of Hope Food Drive was the result of great collaboration and I look forward to our team helping even more of our neighbors this year," Goodman commented.
Last year, Season of Hope benefitted from the guidance and work of a dynamic steering committee composed of community leaders in every county of the 29th Senate district. Senator Goodman is pleased to announce that Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley has again agreed to Chair the steering committee assembled to help coordinate this year's activities.
"It's far too common for hunger to go unaddressed because it simply goes unnoticed. I was pleased when Senator Goodman took this project on last year, and excited that he asked me to help coordinate the effort as Chairperson " said Mayor Presley. "Last year Season of Hope was very successful, and we are already working hard to make sure this year's food drive can help meet needs across the 29th Senate District"
Goodman hopes to have Season of Hope fully organized within the next couple of weeks. Like last year, Season of Hope will distribute food at multiple drop points throughout the district about one week before Christmas. Those interested in donating, volunteering, or receiving assistance should contact Senator Goodman's Office at (573) 751-2234 or (417) 466-7937.
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