HAVANA, Fla. (WTXL) \u2014 As Gadsden County families continue to face delays in SNAP benefits, hundreds lined up in Havana for a food distribution aimed at making sure no one is left behind.<\/p>\n
School Board Member Cathy Johnson has hosted monthly food drives with Second Harvest for six years in front of the old Havana Northside High School.Volunteers helped distribute food to nearly 500 peopleWatch the video below to see how the community is coming together to support one another.<\/p>\n
Food drive in Havana helps dozens of Gadsden County families facing food insecurity<\/p>\n
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
\u201cIt\u2019s just not about the food \u2014 it\u2019s about being loving, caring, and having some empathy for everyone in the community,\u201d said Cathy Johnson, Gadsden County School Board member for District 1.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the message volunteers in Havana are sharing as they hand out boxes of food to families in need.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m Tatyana Purifoy, your Havana neighborhood reporter, where 35.3 percent of Gadsden County residents rely on SNAP benefits, according to the National Council on Aging. With families waiting for benefits to be released, the need for assistance continues to grow.<\/p>\n
In Gadsden County, the need for food assistance continues to grow as many families struggle to keep up with rising costs and delayed SNAP benefits.<\/p>\n
School Board Member Cathy Johnson says she doesn\u2019t want anyone left behind \u2014 everyone deserves a warm, hot meal and a little hope. She\u2019s partnered with Second Harvest for six years, hosting monthly food distributions in front of the old Havana Northside High School.<\/p>\n
They usually serve around 200 to 300 cars, but today they expected nearly 500 \u2014 a sign that the need is growing. She says these events are about more than just food \u2014 they\u2019re about community, connection, and compassion.<\/p>\n
Cathy Johnson said, \u201cIt\u2019s good to be here. This is the day that I feel the best \u2014 the best comes out of me. I\u2019m happy when I\u2019m here and I see the older people come through and they\u2019re smiling, and they\u2019re so grateful that we are here and that we are giving a benefit to our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Volunteers help keep the line moving, making sure every family leaves with boxes of food, meat, and fresh produce. For many families, these distributions are a lifeline \u2014 helping them get through the month when benefits run short.<\/p>\n
Denise Snead, a Havana resident, said, \u201cIt helps us a lot \u2014 giving us some meat, veggies, and canned goods. Some days we are without any, and we come here and pick up, and we have everything we need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cathy says she\u2019ll keep showing up each month because helping her neighbors is what fuels her. She says as long as there\u2019s a need in Gadsden County, she\u2019ll be here to help fill it.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s event may be over, but the work to feed families in Gadsden County is not. Community Cares Food Pantry in Havana will host another distribution this Saturday at 10 a.m. to help anyone who still needs a little extra support. In Havana, Tatyana Purifoy, ABC 27.<\/p>\n
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