Voluntary Action Center tells Gordon County commissioners it served 23,602 meals in 2023 and needs food, volunteers

At a Gordon County work session, Miranda Bentley, introduced as executive director of the Voluntary Action Center, briefed commissioners on the nonprofit’s programs and recent outputs and asked for continued community support.

Bentley said the community kitchen provided 23,602 meals in 2023 and now serves lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. She reported 2,922 grocery bags were distributed through the pantry and said the group helped prevent eviction for 239 individuals (76 households) and assisted 174 individuals facing utility disconnection.

“We provide free services to the community, and we couldn’t do it without our volunteers,” Bentley said, outlining additional services such as laundry and shower facilities, a medical-supply closet with items like crutches and adult diapers, and Operation Happy Christmas. She said the center helped 500 children last year and hopes to help 600 this year.

Bentley described increased demand and limited donations from major retail partners: “Walmart is being very narrow now, so they’re not able to buy as much,” she said, and asked for frozen-meat donations and volunteers. She also announced the center’s open house had been postponed to Nov. 2.

Commissioners thanked Bentley and volunteers; county staff noted an annual county contribution of $9,919 that has not changed in 10 years and said the budget process will consider funding in the next cycle.

Provenance: The Voluntary Action Center presentation and data were given during the meeting’s guest presentations and public-comment portion.