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Village Harvest, Annual Report, 2017
Ben Hicks

We introduced the Village Harvest at the end of 2014 as a response to the increasing costs of
food and to ease some of the financial strain of those in our community. Port Royal can be
described as a food desert. We set up the food distribution market style to bring the food to
them and allowing them to shop and take what is needed.

The Village Harvest celebrated its third year of existence in 2017. Growth has continued. St
Peter’s served 35% more people and provided 38% more pounds of food on average than 2016.
In December, 2017 we exceeded our previous monthly efforts by serving a record 213 people.

In 2017, the average client received just under 9 pounds of food worth over $50 at the monthly
distribution.

The distribution focuses on fresh produce and meat. In the past three years, we have included
a variety of fruits (pears, apples, blackberries, lemons) and vegetables (onions, potatoes,
squash, tomatoes, corn, eggplant, beans, cabbages, peas). The distribution periodically includes
other items that you donate, such as school supplies, mittens and gloves, recipes for the food
being distributed, information about community services, and calendars. In many ways the

Village Harvest has become our second congregation with examples of fellowship, outreach and
education. Many at St. Peter’s serve each month. Johnny and Cookie Davis bring back food

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