BB&T employees helping OIC feed 1,500 needy families

May 23--BB&T employees are teaming up with OIC of Wilson to distribute food to 1,500 households Wednesday during the nonprofit's quarterly food distribution.

Associates from BB&T Loan Services will volunteer several hours of their time to feed Wilson's hungry as a part of the company's annual Lighthouse Project.

The distribution will begin at 8 a.m. at the Opportunities Industrialization Center headquarters, 801 Reid St. E. Food will be distributed until all is given away. Qualified applicants on fixed incomes, those receiving public assistance and Wilson residents are welcome to come.

Food items that will be distributed to each qualifying person or families includes chicken leg quarters, canned chicken, canned pork, salmon, corn, Great Northern beans, raisins, peas, peanut butter, pears, orange juice, cranberry juice and spaghetti.

The massive drive is an all-volunteer project as a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Surplus Food Program. The OIC relies on community volunteers, who have included both state and local elected officials, community leaders and representatives from churches and businesses each quarter to ensure the distribution is streamlined and successful.

Volunteers also get a chance to see the realities of hunger up-close during the event.

"A hungry stomach deals on smell; a full stomach deals on sound," said Howard Jones, OIC of Wilson's president and CEO. "When people are hungry, they can't concentrate or hear what is being said. Once they get a meal, they can then hear and comprehend what is being said to them."

As a part of the Lighthouse Project, BB&T teams have selected projects to assist nonprofit agencies within the community with the goal of making a positive impact on the lives of people in need, officials said.

BB&T officials said they hope their efforts encourage others in the community to volunteer their time and support organizations such as the OIC of Wilson. They said they wanted to work with OIC of Wilson because of the vital role the agency plays within the community.

Families receive enough food during the distribution to last them for several days. During Wednesday's distribution, free confidential health screenings for health issues including diabetes, high blood pressure and communicable diseases will be provided. Information on heart disease, cholesterol and weight control will also be available.

Wilson County's food insecurity rate -- or the inability to access food -- is at 22 percent, according to Feeding America's most recent data. That percentage equals to nearly 20,000 people. Wilson's child food insecurity rate is even higher -- coming in at 28.5 percent, which equals to roughly 5,600 children, according to data.

For decades, the OIC's mission has been to assist people in attaining self-sufficiency by removing barriers in job skills, employment placement, alternative education, health education and prevention as well as food and nutrition. Food is distributed to Wilson County residents who are certified by the Department of Social Services to receive assistance.

The OIC of Wilson and BB&T officials also invite other members of the community to join them as they work to fight against hunger and poverty. To volunteer for the project or get more information, contact the OIC at 291-0038 or visit the group's website at www.wilsonoic.org.

olivia@wilsontimes.com -- 265-7879

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