Local residents answered a call to action on June 21 and donated over 3 tons of
food to local food pantries during United Way of South Mississippi's Day of Action food drive, "Stock the
Shelves & Feed Your Soul."

The Day of Action was a response to an immediate need to restock the depleted food pantries along the
Mississippi Gulf Coast. This event was coordinated by United Way of South Mississippi and Volunteer Gulf
Coast's Corporate Volunteer Council. With the help of 23 local companies, churches, civic groups, and
individuals; 6,719 pounds of food were donated to 10 food pantries throughout Harrison and Hancock Counties.

The success of this community-wide effort was made possible by each of the organizations who gave: Balch &
Bingham LLP, Bank of America, Benefield Eye Care, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Charter Bank, CYP/Gulf
Coast Chamber of Commerce, Dupont, Gulf Coast Tourism CVB, Hancock Bank, Hancock County Housing
Resource Center, Hollywood Casino, The Isle Casino, Knight Nonprofit Center, Mississippi Power Company, Our
Lady of Fatima Church, Peoples Bank, Piltz, Williams, La Rosa & Company, Senator Roger Wicker's office,
Shiloh Church Youth Group, Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club, University of Southern Mississippi, Westminster
Presbyterian Youth Group, and Whitney Bank.

According to the US Census Bureau and the USDA 6,719 pounds of donated food will have an immediate
impact on our community and more importantly, those individuals and families seeking assistance during these
harsh economic times.
- Nearly 4,300 individuals can cook a hot meal.
- 300 families will have food to prepare 3 meals a day for an entire week.

Volunteer Gulf Coast is a community-based volunteer center internal to United Way of South Mississippi and is
an affiliate of the HandsOn Network. For more information about other local volunteer opportunities you may
contact the volunteer center at (228) 896-0073 or visit them online at www.uw-sm.org.