It’s Spooky to be Hungry Food Collection this Week
While you’re stocking up on treats for the trick-or-treaters this week, don’t forget to get some non-perishable food items for the 31st annual It’s Spooky to be Hungry food drive coming up this Saturday, October 28.
The grassroots fundraiser, started more than three decades ago by Evelyn Browne, was designed to get neighborhoods, schools, businesses and civic organizations involved in collecting money and non-perishable food items to help the feed the hungry in this area.
Thousands of adults and children will be going door-to-door Saturday from 9 am until noon gathering those donations in the 25-county area that Golden Harvest Food Bank serves in Georgia and South Carolina. Last year, enough food and money was collected to provide more than 750,000 meals to the hungry in the CSRA. Every $1 donated to Golden Harvest Food Bank provides three meals to those in need.
The goal for this year’s drive is to be able to provide more than one million meals for neighbors in need.
Food that is donated in Aiken County will be collected by the Aiken Distribution Center where it will be sorted and distributed. Food donated in Richmond and Columbia Counties will go to Golden Harvest Food Bank’s Distribution Center on Commerce Drive for sorting and distribution there.
Local renowned philanthropists Rob and Pam Johnston have pledged to match every donation made to this year’s campaign going forward, up to $100,000.
Most Wanted Non-Perishable Items for Golden Harvest Food Bank:
- Low sodium canned vegetables
- No sugar added canned fruit
- Canned meats and seafood
- Nuts and nut butters
- Whole grain pasta & rice
- Whole grain cereal & oats
- Dried beans, peas & lentils
- Low sugar jams and jelly
Food Drop Off Locations:
- Security Federal Bank-5133 Washington Road in Evans
- Gospel Water Branch Baptist Church-703 Fury’s Ferry Road in Evans
- Tudor Branch Neighborhood Pool-off Columbia Road in Grovetown
- First Baptist Church-515 N. Belair Road in Evans
- Belair K-8-3925 Harper Franklin Avenue in Augusta
- Communigraphics-1400 Georgia Avenue in North Augusta
Golden Harvest Food Bank trucks will not be picking up food donations from any neighborhoods, like in years past. They will only be picking up food donations from the designation food drop off locations.
Whip Up Deliciousness In A Flash: 7 Cheap Meals On The Fly
Spaghetti
Cook up some spaghetti noodles and top them with a simple tomato sauce made from canned tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs. Add grated cheese if desired. Another option is to prepare spaghetti squash noodles and pair them with a flavorful pesto sauce made from basil or spinach, as an alternative to traditional spaghetti with tomato sauce. Cook the spaghetti squash and scrape out the noodle-like strands. Then, toss them with a homemade pesto sauce consisting of fresh herbs, garlic, nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.
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Vegetable Stir-Fry
Serve it over rice or noodles for a delicious budget-friendly meal. Simply stir-fry a mix of bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, and onions with soy sauce and a touch of honey or brown sugar.
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Bean Burritos
Bean burritos are a fantastic and budget-friendly option for a quick meal. Just fill tortillas with canned beans like black beans or pinto beans, rice, cheese, salsa, and any other desired toppings. Roll them up and heat them in the oven or on a stovetop skillet for a delicious treat. The best part is that tortillas, beans, rice, cheese, and salsa can be used for multiple meals, making it both convenient and economical.
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Nachos
Remember those extra ingredients from the bean burritos? Well, take the beans, rice, cheese, and salsa and make a nacho. Just grab a bag of tortilla chips and spread them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle on shredded cheese, canned beans, sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, and chopped green onions. Pop them in the oven until the cheese melts and the nachos are heated through. Top with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole if you like.
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Baked Potatoes With Toppings:
This meal is super easy to put together when you’re in a time and budget crunch. Bake some potatoes and top them with your favorite ingredients like sour cream, grated cheese, bacon bits, chives, or any other toppings you love.
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Fancy Grilled Cheese
Start with your favorite bread slices and spread butter on one side. On the other side, spread a thin layer of mayo. Sprinkle shredded cheese on the mayo side and add any extras like caramelized onions, spinach, peppers, bacon, or your other favorite toppings. Sandwich it all together and grill it up until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden.
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Flatbread
Many grocery stores offer affordable and delicious pre-made flatbreads that you can use. Just look for brands that fit in your budget. You typically can find these in the bread or bakery section of the store, or even the freezer section. Get creative with your toppings to transform your store-bought flatbread into a delicious and affordable meal! Whether it’s sautéed mushrooms, colorful peppers, or a variety of cheeses, the choice is yours. You can also experiment with different sauces like tomato sauce, white sauce, or even a drizzle of olive oil to enhance the flavors.
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