Georgia Bulletin

The Newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta

Families served by the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia were able to enjoy a turkey dinner during the holidays thanks to donations by St. Mary’s Health Care System’s employees and volunteers. Shown (l-r) are Jeff English, St. Mary’s vice president of human resources and support services, John Becker, president of the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, and Jennifer Wootton, food bank donations and events manager.

Athens

St. Mary’s employees donate 130 turkeys to Food Bank

Published January 8, 2015

ATHENS—St. Mary’s Health Care System’s employees and volunteers donated on Nov. 24 some 130 turkeys to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia to help families during the holiday season.

Each year, St. Mary’s gives a free turkey to employees and volunteers as a token of appreciation for their dedication and service. The health care system also makes it possible for employees to donate their turkey to help others.

Weighing about 18 pounds each, the turkeys represent about 2,300 pounds of food—more than a ton—that will help families in northeast Georgia. The food bank provides food to dozens of agencies in 14 counties: Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Rabun, Stephens, Towns and White.

John Becker, president of the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, was on hand with Jennifer Wootton, the food bank’s donations and events manager, to accept the donation. The food bank distributed them immediately, mostly to individual families. St. Mary’s, which supports the food bank year-round through a variety of programs and events, also provided safe cooking information and preparation tips developed by its food service partner Sodexo.