For 40 years, Golden Harvest Food Bank has helped families in need put food on their tables. On February 25, 1982, a local citizens committee comprised of clergy, heads of social service agencies, business leaders, and county government officials decided to fight hunger by incorporating a new non-profit organization called a Food Bank. Michael J. Firmin was named the first Executive Director of the organization.

The Food Bank was the outgrowth of discussions regarding the lack of food for Augusta residents during a time of recession in the 1980s. At that time, Golden Harvest’s mission was to alleviate hunger. Four decades and 289 million meals of distributed food later, the mission is now to end hunger.

Golden Harvest Food Bank has grown from a small operation in downtown Augusta to serving 11,000 square miles in Georgia and South Carolina. The Food Bank started as a distribution center for food donations and partnered with pantries and soup kitchens to help people in need. Slowly, programs targeting specific populations emerged, like senior food boxes and after-school meal programs. Today, Golden Harvest works with over 300 partner agencies and programs.

“For 40 years, Golden Harvest Food Bank has provided millions and millions of meals to families during their times of need,” said Amy Breitmann, President & CEO of Golden Harvest Food Bank. “In that time, the strategies and tools we possess to fight hunger have evolved, but the mission to strengthen our communities by providing access to healthy, nutritious food has remained Golden Harvest’s guiding light.”

“The fact that the Food Bank has grown to become what it is today is a testimony to the people of this community and their generous hearts. The Food Bank is really a cause of blessing not only to people in need but also to the people who have resources and share them.” said Mike Firmin, founding Executive Director, Golden Harvest Food Bank.

In its first year, Golden Harvest distributed 167,000 meals. Today, the Food Bank distributes over 12 million meals per year with a strategic plan to increase that number to 20 million meals by 2030. According to data from Feeding America, 1 in 7 struggles with hunger in Golden Harvest’s 25-county service area.

“The people who turn to food banks for assistance do so humbly and with immense gratitude. They are our neighbors, peers, and friends who are struggling to feed their families or themselves,” said Breitmann, “Often, an illness, accident, or other unexpected situation turns a family’s budget upside down.”

Golden Harvest’s 40th Anniversary will be a year-long celebration thanking those in the 25-county area in GA and SC for their generous support throughout the life of the Food Bank. To kick off celebrations, the Food Bank will be hosting author and philanthropist, Jeremy Cowart, who will be offering words of inspiration to Golden Harvest’s staff on Thursday, February 24, as well as a private event later that evening.