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To help families in need, a free food and produce giveaway is hosted once a month at the Old Bridge United Methodist Church in Woodbridge.
According to volunteer coordinator Catie Murphy, the giveaway is hosted on the fourth Thursday of every month at the church. It was formerly held at the B-Thrifty location.
The giveaway is part of a partnership between the Old Bridge United Methodist Church, the Salvation Army, and the Capital Area Food Bank to serve area residents.
“It’s an effort to try and supplement for some of our citizens that get food assistance during the month – who at the end of the month will often run out. So we schedule these purposely to be at the end of the month, to help with produce in their budget and help free up that budget,” said Murphy.
Every month, they serve 80 to 200 families – around 600 to 1,000 individuals, said Murphy.
Prior to distribution, volunteers take in donations on pallets and then organize them for residents.
“We get anywhere from 7,000 to 11,000 pounds of produce, food and baked goods. And then our volunteers sort it into bags,” said Murphy.
Currently, the organization is looking for more businesses to donate food, as well as another location in Woodbridge.
“We are currently looking for a location that will better serve some of the folks on Route 1, [so we can be] a little closer. Transportation can sometimes be a challenge,” said Murphy.
