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On Tuesday night, Pastor Terry Rainwater with God’s Bread Basket updated the Hogansville City Council on the hundreds of clients they feed each month in the city.

God’s Bread Basket is a food-aid ministry of the Hogansville Ministerial Association, with a mission to provide food assistance and spiritual assistance to families of Hogansville.

“Our mission is important because we really are here to provide food assistance to the food insecure families in the Hogansville zip code,” Rainwater said. “Food insecurity means that they may not be able to afford enough food to get them through the month. You would be surprised with how many people, even with stamps, say that they don’t have enough to stretch a food budget.”

God’s Bread Basket gives out 10,000 to 12,000 pounds of food each month to those in need. To qualify for assistance, the following four criterion’s must be met:

• must live in the Hogansville zip code;
• provide government issued photo-identification;
• provide two proofs of physical address with applicants name; and
• verify income is within USDA guidelines.

“One of the reasons we chose the zip code area is because it covers more than just the northern part of Troup County,” Rainwater said. “We are the only food bank in Troup County that packs on food size.”

The ministry is a locally funded organization that relies on local donations. According to Rainwater, they do not receive government funds or grants.

“It all comes from area churches and individuals who donate money,” Rainwater said. “Right now, we have seven churches who give regularly monthly amounts. We’ve got a lot of individuals who do give every month.”

Rainwater said the ministry is able to stretch the donations because they are able to buy food at a cheaper rate.

“For example, a $10 donation I can purchase 52 pounds of food,” Rainwater said.

Hogansville residents who qualify can come once a month to pick up a supply of food. The ministry is open from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursdays at 407 Church Street in Hogansville.

Those looking to donate can send a check or cash to PO Box 161, Hogansville, Georgia.

Rainwater said the ministry is looking into making it possible to send money electronically.

Also on Tuesday night, the council discussed and approved making a $435 contribution for the Troup County Complete Count Census Committee to purchase materials, in conjunction with all Troup County cities.

“For example, banners, post cards, mailers or signs,” Interim City Manager Lisa Kelly said. “They are making a huge deal out of it, so that they can get that word out about the importance of being counted. All the materials will be distributed proportionally throughout all Troup County to make sure the word is spread well.”

The council also discussed the following items Tuesday:

4The council approved the adoption of zoning ordinances that proposes new language for the Hogansville Zoning Ordinance relating to temporary building, storage containers and storage pods.

4The city currently leases a multi-function printer, scanner, fax machine through Ricoh for city hall and has historically leased machines in order to trade them in to keep up with technology. The current cost is $291 monthly and the existing lease is up. 4The council voted to approve a new lease for a machine with new technology in the amount of $269.52 monthly, creating a savings of $257.76 annually.