Volunteers gather at Crawford Street Church to feed 10,000

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Vicksburg Young Professionals and Extra Table, and over 100 volunteers, partnered to package 10,000 bags of red beans and rice to create and distribute to food pantries and shelters within Vicksburg and Warren County. 

The effort was financed with public donations, and the single largest donation of $5000 came from International Paper. Volunteers showed up from all parts of the community, including a large turnout from International Paper and the Electrolux Professional Group. IP Plant Manager Oren Ruth said, “We tried it out last year and wanted to have a bigger presence this year. About 30 people later, we said, Hey, we’re going to make a difference.”

Over 100 community leaders and volunteers set up, produced, packed, and distributed 10,000 bags of beans and rice. That same group came together to clean up, working to get every grain of rice. You can watch our live report from the event by clicking this link.

Extra Table has been helping Mississippians since 2009 through a 4-step process that focuses on fresh food versus canned and boxed donations.

• STEP 1:  FUNDRAISING
  The group raises funds through several different campaigns. You can code the donations by zip code, city, or pantry to ensure your money stays local, and 100% of your donation goes directly to food. The group raises administration costs separately.
• STEP 2:  PURCHASING
  Extra Table purchases new, healthy, and shelf-stable food by the truckload with the assistance of food brokers. 
• STEP 3:  Deliveries
  The group delivers the food directly to the food pantry and soup kitchen partners on the last week of each month. The delivery drivers also unload and shelve the food. The goal of monthly deliveries is to prevent the need of excessive storage or rationing for the food pantries.
• STEP 4:  MISSISSIPPIANS ARE FED!
  The food is then distributed to the people in need at local food pantries.

Extra Table’s Executive Director, Martha Allen Price, said, “They created 10,000 meals in well under 60 minutes. These Warren County folks are smart and capable. It was awesome and they know how to take care of their neighbors.”

If you would like to donate your time, talent, or treasure to help feed your neighbor, click this link.

Here are some photos from the event: