What began as an effort to help families struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has grown into a year-round mission of providing food, encouragement and hope to those in need throughout Jeff Davis County.
During the Hazlehurst Rotary Club’s Wednesday, October 21 meeting, guest speaker Keith Stafford shared the story behind Good Ground Food Pantry and Resource Center and outlined plans for the upcoming third annual Miracles on Cromartie Street, a community outreach event designed to assist hundreds of local families during the holiday season.
Rotarian Perry Brown introduced Stafford, a retired educator who, along with his wife, Kay, volunteers with Good Ground.
Stafford explained that his involvement in community outreach began following Hurricane Helene in 2024, when he and his wife joined others in delivering meals to families who had been affected by the storm. Although their own home sustained relatively minor damage, the experience of visiting families who were isolated by fallen trees and without basic necessities left a lasting impression.
During those early days of recovery, Stafford witnessed firsthand how much a simple meal and a few words of encouragement could mean to someone facing difficult circumstances. “I think I could do this the rest of my life,” Stafford recalled telling a friend while delivering food.
As the community recovered from the storm, Stafford and other volunteers recognized that many families would continue struggling long after electricity was restored and storm debris was cleared. That realization helped shape the continuing mission of Good Ground Food Pantry and Resource Center.
The organization’s permanent facility opened in August 2025 and now serves approximately 120 to 125 families each week.
Located across from Hancock Cleaners in Hazlehurst, the center provides food assistance through a shopping-style experience in which families can select available grocery items with the help of volunteers. The pantry also offers prepared food boxes during evening pickup opportunities twice a month to accommodate working families.
Stafford explained that Good Ground receives support from businesses and organizations, including Walmart and Second Harvest, allowing the pantry to provide groceries, frozen meats, bread and other necessities.
However, he emphasized that the organization’s purpose extends beyond distributing food. “It’s about meeting real needs, building relationships, and reminding people they haven’t been forgotten,” Stafford told Rotarians.
He also described situations in which volunteers have helped individuals experiencing homelessness, including assisting a mother and her two children with transportation and helping another family connect with housing resources. Those experiences, Stafford said, have revealed needs within the local community that many residents may not realize exist.
This year’s third annual Miracles on Cromartie Street will take place Sunday, November 22, at 4 p.m. at Hazlehurst Church of God. Sponsored by Good Ground Food Pantry and Hazlehurst Church of God, the event will combine two outreach efforts that were previously held separately.
Organizers plan to provide 300 families with a turkey and the traditional Thanksgiving trimmings, along with a community giveaway featuring toys, household items and other resources. Stafford said approximately 268 families received Thanksgiving assistance last year.
This year’s expanded event will allow participating families to receive their Thanksgiving food boxes and then select available items from the community giveaway. The event is free, with no preregistration required. Items will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Deliveries will not be available.
Stafford encouraged Rotary members, local businesses, churches and individuals to become involved in preparing for the November event. Organizers are seeking donations of nonperishable foods, including canned vegetables, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, boxed side dishes and other shelf-stable items.
Financial contributions are also needed to help purchase turkeys and additional supplies for the 300 Thanksgiving meals. Businesses and individuals may also donate toys, household goods and other items for the community giveaway.
Volunteers will be essential to preparing and distributing the food and resources.
Stafford encouraged businesses to organize employee food drives, make financial contributions, donate merchandise or send volunteer teams to assist.
He noted that Good Ground already benefits from support across the community, including volunteers from several churches and local organizations.
Stafford specifically recognized the Bank of Hazlehurst for recently sending employees to assist at the pantry and thanked the FBLA organizations at Jeff Davis Middle School and Jeff Davis High School for conducting food drives.
He stressed that the ministry’s success depends on the willingness of the entire community to participate.
Following Stafford’s presentation, a Rotary member made a motion for the club to contribute financially to Miracles on Cromartie Street. The motion received a second, and members expressed support for making a donation. A specific contribution amount was not established during the meeting.
Brown thanked Stafford for sharing the organization’s work and acknowledged the continuing needs of families throughout Jeff Davis County.
The discussion also turned to several of the Rotary Club’s upcoming service projects, including its annual coat initiative for students, holiday activities involving special education students, and a luncheon recognizing first responders.
Members discussed purchasing jackets ahead of colder weather and coordinating with school officials to identify students who need assistance.
Plans for the first responders luncheon were also discussed, with organizers expecting the event to take place before Thanksgiving.
Community members interested in supporting Miracles on Cromartie Street may donate food and other items at Hazlehurst Church of God or Good Ground Resource Center.
Businesses and organizations interested in contributing financially, donating supplies or volunteering may contact:
Keith Stafford: (912) 253-8032
Kay Stafford: (912) 253-9300
Bethany Anderson, Good Ground Food Pantry Director and Community Liaison: (229) 287-9460
Hazlehurst Church of God: (912) 375-7774
As Stafford concluded his presentation, he reminded Rotarians that even small acts of generosity can have a lasting impact on families facing difficult circumstances.
With the Thanksgiving season approaching, Good Ground and Hazlehurst Church of God hope the community will once again come together to turn compassion into action through Miracles on Cromartie Street.
