Dalton Public Schools recently distributed 450 boxes of food to families in need. Each box contained a variety of items including a gallon of milk, yogurt, fresh produce, meat and more.
This food drop was sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farmers to Families Food Box Program and organized through the Carpet City Rotary Club.
Caroline Woodason, director of school support, said this event would not have been possible without the support of community partners.
"We appreciate the Carpet City Rotary Club for organizing this opportunity and the willingness of Mack Gaston Community Center to act as our distribution center," Woodason said. "Our community partners help create The Dalton Difference!"
The USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program began in May 2020 as a response to the coronavirus pandemic. Through this program, the USDA partnered with regional and local agricultural distributers to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat products. The purchased food products were then distributed to families in need.
Since the beginning of the program, more than 160 million pounds of food has been delivered to disadvantaged families around the country.
Jackie Killings, president of the Carpet City Rotary Club, said the rotary club ordered food from the USDA, but needed assistance distributing the food to families in need.
"Carpet City Rotary Club ordered a truckload of food from the USDA's Farmers to Families program and we are thankful for the Dalton Public School System for partnering with us to get this food to the families that need it," Killings said. "We are a small club of 13 members that could not have carried out this big project without the help of community partners like DPS."