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January 25, 2012

Barloworld Dalton gives food bank branch uncommon gift

Dalton Daily Citizen

Most girls dream of diamond rings as the ultimate gift, but Chattanooga Area Food Bank Operations Director Melissa Blevins wants a forklift.

The regional food bank opened its first branch, the Northwest Georgia Branch, in Dalton last October and has since needed a forklift for operations.

“We’ve done a great job of utilizing our current resources to serve the hungry in northwest Georgia, but the need for our services in this community has become even more visible and we are to the point now that a forklift could really help us expand our operations,” said Blevins. That’s when Barloworld in Dalton stepped up with an uncommon gift — a free two-week rental of a forklift.

“Our company prides itself on caring for the communities we work in every day by handing out a helping hand when called upon,” said Barloworld Operations Manager Ricky Nelson. Nelson quickly filled the request for the forklift donation, which was to be delivered to the Northwest Georgia branch on Wednesday.

“Even the temporary use of a forklift will help us increase our capacity to serve our hungry neighbors in need,” said Blevins. “We are so grateful to our neighbor Barloworld for helping us out. Now we just need a forklift donated for permanent use.”

The Northwest Branch of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank opened in October of 2011 in an effort to expand the distribution of food to the northwest Georgia community. The branch currently offers member agencies, including nonprofit organizations and churches, the opportunity to purchase food at a significant cost savings for their clients and members in need.

Donations of food items, money and volunteer time are always needed and appreciated, and food drives are encouraged. To organize a food drive or to inquire about becoming a member agency, contact the Northwest Branch at (706) 508-8591.

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank distributed 11.9 million pounds of food last year, of which 2.8 million went to the Northwest Georgia community.

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