Operation Arresting Hunger feeds over 400 people

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — On a 52-degree Wednesday morning, around 40 officers and individuals working with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office gathered outside the William “Billy” Rape, Jr. Building, behind the Houston County Office where the sheriff’s office resides. Many kept their cars running. They would soon return to the road.

Cpl. Kevin Taylor, organizer of Operation Arresting Hunger, pulled into the parking lot as well, driving a large carrier truck. When the back of the truck was opened a few minutes later, 100 meals could be found inside.

Operation Arresting Hunger holds three events each year. The first, often done in September, is a car wash. Volunteers gather in a parking lot in Perry and wash cars for donations, the purpose being to raise as much money as possible.

The money collected during the car wash goes on to fund the organization’s second event each year: a charitable feeding that became the group’s namesake — the event held on Wednesday.

Officers loaded as many boxes of food into their vehicles as possible, and worked their way through Houston County. They gave these dinners — containing turkey, mashed potatoes and other holiday dinner essentials — to those in need, ensuring they had a Thanksgiving dinner to eat.

All told, these boxes of food served 68 families total — 418 individuals in Houston County.

Cpl. Taylor, also a founding member of Operation Arresting Hunger, started the charity 11 years ago.

“We see there’s a need to fill,” Taylor said. “We try to help people. Some of the people who are getting meals are former employees, people we know, people we see in the community who are struggling, or have been going through hard times. We just want to do a little more.”

Sergeant in Investigations Darron Jones was one of several officers who assisted in delivering boxes of food to families in need. This year marks his ninth associated with the event.

Jones left the sheriff’s office after loading his vehicle and made his way to Red Fox Run in Warner Robins.

Jones carried a lighter load than some on Wednesday, carrying three boxes and serving two families in the Red Fox Run community. Other officers, going to larger communities, carried anywhere from five to 14 boxes.

The sergeant told The Journal he went to high school here, he lives and works in Houston County. For Jones, this work is a service he feels he needs to take part.

“I think that for families that are not able to afford meals, or are less fortunate, these are blessings we’re passing on to our community,” Jones said. “It takes a special person to do this special sacrifice or service to our community, and I think it’s a blessing that I’m able to be a part of and be able to pass on to our community.”

The third and final event of the year for Operation Arresting Hunger will happen on New Year’s Eve. Using additional funds raised through their annual car wash, T-shirt and hoodie sales as well as donations from local businesses and individuals, Operation Arresting Hunger will purchase gifts for children in Houston County, many of whom are members of the families served in November. They will open these gifts on Christmas Eve.

This year’s event was sponsored by The T-Shirt Factory, Taylor Interiors LLC, Katering by Kelly, Anytime Fitness in Perry, Kingdom Boxing Gym, Houston Lodge #35&AM, Satterfield & Dempsey Jewelers, C. Snyder Chapman CPA, Front Line Lawn Care, All Hazards Solutions LLC, Road Runner Towing of Perry, The Dream Team Event, Peach Pressure Washing LLC, The Houston Home Journal, Reece Heating and Air LLC, and DJ MixMaster T.

Individuals looking to support Operation Arresting Hunger can reach Cpl. Talyor by calling the Houston County Sheriff’s Office at (478) 542-2125. Checks must be made out to Operation Arresting Hunger.

HHJ News