Faith United Methodist Church hosted a potato drop this week where volunteers, including employees of Union County Water, helped offload and prepare donated potatoes for distribution to local food banks and church ministries.

The donations are organized by the Society of Saint Andrew, a nonprofit that "works to reclaim produce that would go to waste otherwise and give it to people who would otherwise be hungry," Speaker 1 said. Organizers said the program receives tractors' worth of potatoes from a cooperating farmer and distributor on a recurring basis.

Organizers described logistical challenges: the church does not have a loading dock and the potatoes arrive on pallets in large bags weighing about 2,000 to 2,500 pounds each. Speaker 2 said the shipment being handled at the church represents "around 40,000 pounds" of potatoes to be distributed to local food banks and other churches.

The workers who volunteered are normally maintenance mechanics and instrumentation and control technicians, Speaker 2 said, adding that the hands-on work is different from their everyday jobs but "means a lot" to them. An employee of Union County Water thanked staff and volunteers, saying the utility wants to be "a part of the community, not just a necessity."

Organizers said the Society of Saint Andrew and partner churches fill a gap when tight budgets reduce access to fresh produce for food assistance programs. The donations at Faith United Methodist Church will be handed out through local food banks and church ministries over the coming days.

No formal government action or vote was recorded at the event. Organizers and volunteers said the work will continue while the distributor and Society of Saint Andrew maintain the donation schedule.