Bank of America has teamed with Golden Harvest Food Bank to help drive economic mobility for vulnerable populations, directing grant funding to the Food Bank to help strengthen the community’s vitality by addressing needs related to neighborhood revitalization through supporting the expansion of its Urban Farm.

For many years, Bank of America has worked with nonprofit partners and other leaders across public and private sectors in Augusta and Aiken. Golden Harvest was one of the selected nonprofits to receive a $20,000 grant to help drive economic mobility for vulnerable populations. This work complements the bank’s broader efforts to help advance racial equality and economic opportunity through a $1.25 billion commitment over five years focused on health, jobs and reskilling, affordable housing, and small business. This funding includes support for communities of color within the area.

“Facing increased need throughout the pandemic, Golden Harvest has ensured the CSRA’s families have access to nourishing meals and other resources,” said Ora Parish, President, Bank of America Augusta / Aiken. “As many families and individuals continue to face increased challenges, the Food Bank’s work is vital in ensuring our neighbors are fed and have access to everyday necessities.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Golden Harvest Food Bank has seen calls for help double and is still seeing a 15% increase in need for food assistance when compared to pre-COVID levels. According to Feeding America’s projections, 1 in 7 people within the Food Bank’s 11,000 square mile service area are now struggling with hunger.

One challenge Golden Harvest faces in keeping up with the hunger rise is the limited capacity of its Urban Farm located in downtown Augusta, Ga. Through Bank of America’s grant and partnership, Golden Harvest will expand the capacity of its Urban Farm with the building of a greenhouse. During FY 2020, the Urban Farm grew and used over 1,000 pounds of fresh vegetation and is projected to need to produce even more.

Golden Harvest Food Bank uses the Urban Farm to grow and harvest food to feed hungry families in the community at The Master’s Table Soup Kitchen, where hot meals are served 365 days a year. The Urban Farm includes 40 raised garden beds, a flock of chickens producing fresh eggs, and an aquaponics system. The new greenhouse addition will aid in providing added space for growing more vegetables and extend the growing season of plants.

Amy Breitmann, President and CEO of Golden Harvest says, “The addition of this new greenhouse will allow for more fresh, local produce to enter the doors of our soup kitchen and benefit the health of our guests. We are grateful for the generous support displayed through this grant and for our longstanding relationship with Bank of America.”