Food pantry manager Bill Overton and Bethany Rea, Miss Logan County, with some of the groceries being bought for the food pantry.

5th annual food pantry drive looking at big numbers [December 11, 2010]  The annual food drive for the Lincoln/Logan County Food Pantry had a great first day. Perhaps the warmer weather was the reason. More likely it was the warm hearts of all the patrons of the Lincoln IGA.

At 6 p.m. Friday, Jeff Maxwell from WLCN radio Atlanta said the first day had brought in $2,500 in food purchases and cash donations for the pantry. Besides giving cash, donors can purchase grocery bags already filled for $5, $10 or $20.

WLCN will be on hand from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. Saturday, and it is hoped as much, if not more, will be donated to our local pantry.

Bill Overton, the manager of the pantry, said there are two reasons the local pantry is so successful in a time when others are struggling or closing.

First, all help at the pantry is unpaid staff. There are no wages or employee costs as there are with some other pantries. The second factor, Overton said, is because of the exceptional community support that never ceases to amaze him.

The event has prime sponsors of WLCN, Lincoln IGA, Graue Inc. and Castle Manor.

There are also 30 other businesses that have donated prizes to a prize wheel that a donor can spin after purchasing a bag of groceries for the pantry.

[LDN]