Each year, OBI's Hunger Strike Force partners with Impact Suffolk to provide thousands of pounds of food to local residents in need.

SUFFOLK, Va. - On the morning of Saturday, September 23, 2006, a long line of people stood waiting in the parking lot behind a local grocery store in Suffolk, Va. They had arrived in response to flyers distributed throughout their low-income neighborhoods announcing free groceries, snacks, and fun for the whole family.

Every fall, Operation Blessing's Hunger Strike Force partners with Impact Suffolk, a local non-profit, to provide free groceries to residents in need. This year, OBI donated 26,650 pounds of food and aid for the one-day event, which included cereal, canned goods, diapers, and bottled drinks.

At 9:30 a.m., attendees began to make their way to tables offering free snow cones, popcorn, hot dogs, chips, and cold beverages. A stage in the center of the parking lot featured live music while clowns entertained the children with balloon animals and face painting.

Beth and three-year-old son Matthew, with balloon sword in hand, made their way over to the Hunger Strike Force truck where dozens of volunteers waded through thousands of grocery-filled plastic bags and distributed them to those in line.

"You don't know what a blessing this is to us," said the single mother of four, who received two bags of groceries, a couple loaves of bread, and some bottled drinks. Beth, who heard about the event from social services, works full-time at a daycare center and is pursuing her associate's degree.

Volunteers prepare bags for distribution. Each attendee at the Saturday event received two bags of groceries, a couple loaves of bread, and some bottled drinks.

After receiving her groceries, Beth and her family joined the other volunteers and began helping the handicapped and elderly carry groceries to their cars.

But the day's blessings weren't just limited to the attendees. The volunteers seemed to be having just as much fun.

"This is something I could do for a living," said Brenda, who has volunteered with Impact Suffolk for the past eight years.

In 2005, Operation Blessing donated 30,000 pounds of food to the event, reaching approximately 1,500 families in need.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Every day, the fleet of Hunger Strike Force trucks are on the road, delivering nutritious food and essential supplies to thousands facing hunger and poverty. With your help, we can continue to impact lives and give hope to those who need it most. Consider making an online donation today.

 

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