Empty Stocking Fund helping those in need

Published 9:15 am Saturday, December 22, 2018

For more than 30 years, the Empty Stocking Fund has ensured that local needy families have bountiful holiday meals during the season of giving. 

The group taps local businesses, schools and individuals for monetary and food donations throughout the year, and with the help of Johnnie McDade’s Grocery store, creates food boxes that will feed between 300 to 400 families for Thanksgiving and Christmas combined. 

The Empty Stocking Fund works through local organizations such as churches, the Salvation Army, and Overview Inc. to identify families that would benefit most from receiving the gift. Vouchers are given to the selected families to exchange for a box of food. 

“For our clients, the Empty Stocking Fund provides a holiday meal at a time when they would otherwise be without. The holidays are a stressful time for many of our clients, and this generous act by the Milledgeville Merchants provides them with a sense of security and hope,” said Overview Inc. Executive Director Wanda Addeo. 

Justin Jones. of J.C. Grant Company, is in his first year heading the charitable cause and is still learning his way through the organization with the help of the group’s former chair, Randy New. 

“Randy has been there for me through this whole process, and I appreciate him so much. He has 30 years of experience that guides me when I need help,” said Jones. 

Jones said he had been overwhelmed by the generosity of people who give to the fund to help feed those that might otherwise go hungry during the holidays.

“What has been so unexpected is the number of people who stop by work and hand me a check for the Fund out of the goodness of their heart. They don’t want any recognition or thanks — they just want to do something good for someone else.” 

Businesses and community groups also fundraise year-round for the Fund, including but not limited to Triumph, the Milledgeville Exchange Club, the Pilot Club, and several local banks. 

“A GMC student, Emma Holder, spearheaded an effort for her class to help the Fund, and that really touched my heart deeply,” said Jones. “Johnnie McDade’s has also been so great to us — all the work they (owner Luther Minor and staff) put in every Thanksgiving and Christmas is quite unbelievable and generous.” 

Walking into McDade’s Grocery at 1765 Vinson Highway on one of the Empty Stocking Fund pickup days is like walking into Santa’s workshop Christmas Eve morning — frenzied, but competent elves circle mounds of oranges, apples, potatoes and canned goods — making sure that each box is packed with care and lots of nutritious food. 

“We enjoy helping needy families have a meal on the holidays — especially the kids. It is how we spread joy and love in our community,” said clerk Danielle Johnson. 

The Fund will take monetary donations past Christmas Day to pay for all the vouchers given out. Checks or cash can be delivered to Justin Jones at the J.C. Grant Company located at 116 Wayne St. 

Jones added: “Now that I have a year under my belt, I want to expand the fundraising next year and encourage all of our community to get involved and help our most vulnerable neighbors during the holiday seasons.” 

For more information on the Empty Stocking Fund, call Justin Jones at J.C. Grant Co. at 478 452-2222.