Volunteers hand out 30,000 pounds of food

RUSSELLVILLE — United Way of Northwest Alabama organized a food giveaway Feb. 7 at Russellville High School, distributing an estimated 30,000 pounds of food to more than 300 families.

The Russellville Dream Center partnered with OneGenAway to purchase and handle the food. Volunteers from the Dream Center and local churches helped with distribution, said Kerry Del Pizzo, chief operating officer of United Way of Northwest Alabama.

Kamryn Bryan, men’s director at the Russellville Dream Center, said about 30 Dream Center volunteers helped with the distribution.

Volunteers from multiple churches and student groups helped move and load boxes throughout the morning.

“When you have that many people, a little bit goes so far, because lots of hands make light loads,” Del Pizzo said.

Del Pizzo also volunteered, along with her children.

She said this marked the first United Way food giveaway of this kind in Franklin County, though the organization has held similar events in neighboring counties.

Lexine Ramos, a 13-year-old student at St. Joseph’s, was among those who volunteered. She said the work left an impression on her.

“It made me feel really proud of myself because I was able to help a lot of people,” she said. “Some of my classmates also showed up to help.”

Marina Ramos, secretary at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Russellville, said volunteers, including her two daughters, ages 8 and 13, arrived around 7 a.m. and worked in cold conditions as they got ready.

“It was neat to see a lot of people, not only from our Catholic church but from other churches that gathered together to help in a good cause,” she said.

Del Pizzo said Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster helped fund the event and plans to support another giveaway in Russellville.