‘Great’s a good word for it’ – Volunteers band together for Warner Robins food drive

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Local organizations and leaders came together on Monday to help provide a vital resource to those in need. On July 24, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Suffered in Silence partnered with Angel Life Development and 100 Black Men of Greater Warner Robins, holding a food drive at the Curtis Event Center.

Just in time for back to school, several families came out to the event, receiving boxes stocked full of snacks, canned goods, fresh produce, meat, sweets, as well as backpacks for their children. In April, organizers gave out around 200 boxes and expected to match this number at July’s food drive.

And it wasn’t just charities involved. From Warner Robins, Councilman Larry Curtis offered up assistance. From Centerville, Mayor John Harley, and Councilman J. Micheal Evans also helped during the food drive.

For local leaders, getting out to the community was fulfilling.

“It’s absolutely beautiful; it’s a great thing. It’s always good to be able to give back to the community. When you can be a part of it, that makes it better, because it’s all about service. Some are less fortunate than we are. So when you can give back and help them out, it gives you a good feeling,” Evans said.

“Great’s a good word for it. When you do something like this, you get a good idea of what’s going on around you,” Harley said.

For event organizers, the event is simple to plan but it is the most satisfying, according to Suffered in Silence community outreach coordinator Dee Kae.

“I love planning an event like this because it is so easy-going. It’s not too much thought that goes into it. I just know I need to go get the food, announce that we’re going to have the food, and have the people come and pick it up. It’s the easiest event, but out of everything we do, it is the most fulfilling,” Kae said.

The event saw a sizeable turnout for both those in need of assistance and volunteers from across middle Georgia, something Kae was grateful for.

“I love it. I love the fact that I can call on [volunteers] and they’re going to be there. I loved that I could call on the mayor of Centerville and he was there … It’s a team effort and I enjoy everything that has to go with it,” Kae said.

Angel Life Development founder and CEO Sheila Byrd also spoke on the team effort involved in conducting the food drive.

“We’re here to be of service, that is why we’ve opened up the event center with our partners,” Byrd said.

The organizations involved do much more than food drives throughout the year and are looking for volunteers. Byrd said the organizations involved also help provide housing and resources for employment.

According to Byrd, her nonprofit, Angel Life Development is also in the process of starting a senior resources initiative and a development center to help educate the community.

Kae added to keep a lookout for what Suffered in Silence plans to do, as well as the Curtis Event Center, which can be found on Facebook at Curtis Event Center.

For more information on Angel Life Development, contact Byrd directly at (248) 747-2300, or visit the organization’s Facebook page: “Angel Life Development, Inc.”

Those who are interested in learning more about Suffered in Silence can visit their website, sufferedinsilenceinc.org and Facebook page: “Suffered in Silence Inc,” or follow Kae directly on Facebook.

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