Founded in Atlanta in 2008 by Jeremy Turner, who was then serving as a police officer in DeKalb County, Contribute2America (C2A) has delivered more than 500,000 lbs. of food to more than 60,000 people in need. The non-profit does not receive any governmental grants, working entirely from funds raised within the community and giving out approximately 90% of what they bring in.
When Jeremy was working within impoverished and homeless communities in DeKalb County,
he saw first-hand what an impact personal involvement could have in helping to improve conditions. He created a food co-op there that requires recipients to participate by carrying and boxing the food they take home. In 2013, Jeremy expanded his operations to Brunswick, partnering with Safe Harbor to provide them with nutritional food. Two years later, he moved to St. Simons Island with his wife and daughters. Jeremy works as a Deputy Sheriff on the Patrol side of the Camden County Sheriff’s Office and is a member of the Brunswick Rotary Club. He attends St. Simons Community Church, assisting with security and outreach ministries. With two employees in Atlanta overseeing the ongoing programs there, Jeremy continues to run C2A from St. Simons Island. Locally, C2A has supported Safe Harbor’s Street Beat Program, provides hot meals twice a month to the homeless served by The Well and the Salvation Army, and assists with additional feeding programs through HIS Ministries.
Jeremy says that right now what C2A needs most is community support and monetary donations. It’s time to get the word out about C2A working right here in Glynn County to help feed those in need. Since C2A doesn’t rely on government funding, money needs to come from private and corporate donations. “It’s sad to say that all of the funding that goes into Brunswick comes from our Atlanta supporters. We need local support. Southern Soul Barbeque has stepped up by donating food for our feeding programs and giving us help cooking products when needed,” Jeremy shares.
Currently C2A supports all of its programs on an annual budget of $40,000 per year. They are trying to raise additional money for a new vehicle to pick up food and to purchase and fix up a house near downtown Brunswick that could function as C2A’s headquarters. Need is great and donations are crucial to making any progress. Jeremy would also like to see C2A expand into job training, education, and counseling. He says, “This may come into play where government grants can assist but until then we will have to gain support from our local communities and business. My lifelong goal would be able to do this full time. I have strong faith and I believe we should help all of those in need. I think the best gratification any human can get is to help another person.” But if that gratification isn’t enough, C2A is offering some additional incentive to donate by raffling off a Big Green Egg for a $10 minimum raffle contribution. For more information about C2A and to volunteer or donate, visit contribute2america.org.
