Story and Photos provided by Stillwater Junior Service League

The Harvest II Food Drive for the Stillwater area will celebrate its 29th year of gathering food for the community. The Junior Service League of Stillwater coordinates the community-wide food drive each year that provides a harvest to those in need. Each year, the community joins together to donate food, give contributions and volunteer their time to provide a second harvest of the season, Harvest II. Last year, more than 500 community volunteers collected, sorted, packed, and distributed over 50,000 pounds of food to area agencies.

Julie Hamill is chairing Harvest II this year. She has been part of the Stillwater Junior Service League for 4 years. “Harvest II has given my family and I such joy. I enjoy the volunteers at the warehouse, awarding a group of elementary kids that coveted Harvest II award for most collected, and delivering the food to the agencies. Being greeted by families and individuals that will enjoy our Harvest is an experience like no other. It is not just about the feelings of it all, it is about blessing others the way that God has blessed my family.”

The Harvest II boxes and barrels will be located at Stillwater schools, Perkins schools, and participating businesses and churches in the area. Donations will be accepted from October 11th through October 26th. The area agencies that receive donations from Harvest II are COCAA, Mission of Hope, Storehouse, Love Feast, Salvation Army, Wings of Hope Family Crisis Services, Neighborhood Ministries, Payne County Youth Services, Cowboys with Compassion, Our Daily Bread, Operation Christmas, and Oklahoma Adult and Teen Challenge.

In addition to the food donations, monetary donations to these groups totaled more than $21,000 in 2016. Through donations given to Harvest II, these agencies are able to provide food to those in need throughout the entire year. The success of Harvest II is the result of the overwhelming support and participation from the community. The Junior Service League is thankful for the community and sponsors that make this mission possible.

There are many ways to donate and contribute to Harvest II.  If you or your business would like more information about how to participate in the Harvest II Food Drive, please contact the Harvest II Chair, Julie Hamill at 580-748-1801 or at harvest2jsl@gmail.com, or visit the Junior Service League on Facebook at www.facebook/StillwaterJSL. “We are looking forward to partnering with the community to make the 2017 Harvest II Food Drive the best ever!” said Harvest II Chair Hamill.

About Junior Service League of Stillwater

The purpose of the Junior Service League of Stillwater is exclusively educational and charitable. We aim to promote volunteerism, develop the potential of members for voluntary participation in community affairs, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of trained volunteers.