Marion County’s “Bring the Harvest Home” holiday food drive was deemed a huge success Friday.
That’s because the effort, spearheaded since its inception in 2011 by Commissioner Kathy Bryant, brought in 13,000 pounds of donated items during an event at Ocala’s Downtown Square. The items collected will benefit Interfaith Emergency Services, Brother’s Keeper and the Salvation Army.
“I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to the many people who make this event possible each year, especially those in this community who contributed items and made our 2020 event a success,” Bryant said. “Despite the many hardships so many faced this year, the people of this great community came through in a big way to ensure those in need would be served and provided for this holiday.”
Bryant called it an “honor” to work alongside the City of Ocala, Marion County Fire Rescue, Ocala Fire Rescue, the Ocala Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, Marion County’s Sheriff, Tax Collector, Clerk of Court, Property Appraiser and Supervisor of Elections offices, as well as the many elected officials and private businesses who all come together every year to make the food drive a success.
All 13,000 pounds of the non-perishable food, baby supplies and toiletry items collected Friday and over the course of the drive will be distributed equally between Interfaith Emergency Services, Brother’s Keeper and the Salvation Army.