Have You Met...Shari Brain Nunez and Kim Orange Boudet?

The reality for many families in Forsyth County is constant hunger. They have been forced to make skipping meals a way of life. Hunger is an ongoing emptiness for too many adults and children in our community, but there's help at the front door, and it comes in a little orange tote-bag.

Shari Brain Nunez and Kim Orange Boudet (yes, these are their real names) make helping others as easy as hanging a bag on your front door. They started the Food for Thought Project in April as a program to help supply local food banks on a regular basis. The program currently boasts more than 240 Forsyth County residents in participation. 

"We deliver a bright orange bag to your front door and ask that you buy one extra non-perishable item each time you go to the grocery store and place it in the bag," says Nunez. "On the second Saturday of every other month, a volunteer will pick up the bag, replace it with a new one, and deliver it to one of our local food banks."

The program is proving to be successful in Forsyth County because it is very convenient for people to contribute. The more people who participate, the more food collected for those in need. "We are excited by the response and generosity of our citizens thus far, and are eagerly awaiting our third official pick-up on Saturday, October 8th," says Nunez.

"We are helping to fill a great need for people in our community including many children who are struggling with hunger on a daily basis," explains Nunez who felt overwhelmed by the generosity of Forsyth County providing 2,506 pounds of food after the August pickup.   

Food for Thought seeks non-perishable items, including items in boxes, bags, bottles, jars (plastic is best), etc. Canned meats, pantry staples such as sugar, flour and salt, dry goods such as pasta, rice, beans and cereal, canned fruits and vegetables are also needed. Sign up or call 770-744-3571 to help end hunger in Forsyth County. 

With the holidays around the corner, Food for Thought is asking participants to do an optional "Thanksgiving Piggyback Bag," in addition to their regular donations. These bags may contain canned hams or other canned meats or cash and gift card donations to give food banks the extra help they'll need as Thanksgiving approaches.