Gleaning in Mississippi & Arkansas

 

In 2024, through September:
173,533 pounds of food gleaned and distributed
694,132 servings of fresh food shared
29 events held to rescue and share food
149 volunteers engaged in hands-on service
23 recipient agencies and partners

Read the Mississippi Impact Summary

The Society of St. Andrew operates a volunteer-driven Gleaning Network that relies on farmers, donors, and volunteers who partner together to fresh produce every year and use it to feed hungry people across the region.

Through the Mississippi Gleaning Network, SoSA coordinates volunteers in many areas of the state who enter fields after the farmers have finished harvesting and simply pick, dig, or gather the tons of good produce left behind. Our volunteers represent groups from various church denominations, synagogues, youth groups, other civic organizations, individuals, and inner-city residents.

The SoSA MS Gleaning Network is led by two local staff and works with hundreds of partners across the state. They are passionate about sharing good food with Mississippians in need and want to work with you! Join the mission and share good food with our neighbors in need.

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Read below to learn more about the SoSA staff team in Mississippi.

Gwendolyn Braddy serves as the Director for the Society of St. Andrew Mississippi. She is a graduate of both Mississippi College and The University of Mississippi. She is a resident of Jackson, Mississippi, and previously worked as and environmental scientist and an educator on both the high school and college levels. Prior to joining on staff, Braddy was a dedicated volunteer with SoSA for many years. Gwendolyn is passionate about ending hunger and eliminating food insecurity.

Gleaning Farm Fields in Mississippi
Please contact us to indicate your interest in gleaning. When we have opportunities within 30-45 minutes of your location, we will email you with details and invite you to join us in the fields.

Most gleaning events take place on weekends where gleaners arrive in the fields around 8 am. and are on their way home by noon. The Society of St. Andrew makes all arrangements with farmers, produce containers, and food distribution. All that volunteer gleaners need to do is show up. Volunteer groups are encouraged to take food back to agencies or programs they support locally.

People of all ages can glean. Gleaners should be able to bend over and should be able to bend and lift several pounds of produce. The contact person must be reachable by phone during day-time hours. Most of our gleanings are in the morning and last three to four hours. Gleanings are scheduled week days and on Saturdays.

If you have questions about when local crops are available, we would be happy to help.

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How can my congregation or faith community get involved?
SoSA works to establish a community of love and to support lives of service and action, according to the Gospel witness. If you or your faith community are interested in receiving spiritual resources about hunger and hunger relief, or having a SoSA staff member speak at your congregation, contact our regional director.

If I have food, how can I donate it?
We work to make donating as easy as possible, and the interests and investments of our farmers are our highest priority. To find out more about donating, contact our program coordinator. Click to learn more.

How can my agency receive free food through SoSA?
It’s simple! Contact your program coordinator to start the conversation. We would love to hear about your work, your service population and food needs, and why you do what you do. Please e-mail ms-glean@endhunger.org with your name, contact information, agency location and hours, and your nonprofit EIN (if you have one).

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