Hawthorne got to work early on Saturday as volunteers showed up just before 7 a.m. to unload a truck of food and start distribution.  

Cars rolled past a line of volunteers who called out how many bags per car, placed the food in the trunk and moved onto the next. The event had enough supplies for 250 families. 

“I think the military could learn something from how we’re organizing this because it’s turned out really well,” City Manager John Martin said.  

The Farm Share program visited regularly before the COVID-19 pandemic, and city leaders hope to return to that schedule moving forward. With Putnam County to the east and Marion County to the south, Martin said Hawthorne often serves more than just its 1,500 residents.  

“I’m just glad for the spirit of Hawthorne—everybody just really putting in their time,” Hawthorne Vice Mayor Patricia Bouie-Hutchinson said. “We don’t mind serving.” 

Farm Share is a nonprofit that started in 1991 as a food bank and gives away food throughout the state. In 2020, Farm Share reports 136 million pounds of food given to families in need. Food distributions are scheduled for Starke, Lake Butler and Palatka in May.  

For a full list of distributions, visit the Farm Share website.