Mississippi | EndHunger

Gleaning in Mississippi & Arkansas

In 2021, through May, our Mississippi and Arkansas region has gleaned 387,765 pounds of fresh produce in 63 events, with 138 volunteers.

Food donated by 21 farmers has been distributed to hungry people through 78 feeding agencies.

The Society of St. Andrew operates a volunteer-driven Gleaning Network that includes volunteers who save fresh produce every year and use it to feed hungry people all across the two states.

Greetings From the Mississippi Team

Summer Starts In:

Through the Mississippi Gleaning Network, we coordinate volunteers in many areas of the states who actually enter fields after farmers have finished harvesting and simply pick up 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.

Click here to read a recent article about a Sweet Potato Crop Drop held in Jackson.

The SoSA MS Gleaning Network is led by two staff people 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 to end hunger as a volunteer and help share good food with your neighbors in need. Read below to learn more about the SoSA staff team in Mississippi.

Langston Moore, a lifelong resident of Mississippi, serves as the Regional Director and leads the development, donor, and congregational relations, as well as oversees the direction of the office. He has over a decade of experience in the field of food insecurity, hunger relief, and food access. He and his wife, Lisa, reside in the capital city of Jackson. He is a graduate of Mississippi College and he and his wife and 18 year-old-son, are active members of Fondren Church in Jackson. Moore has been with SoSAMS since August of 2020.

Leigh Ann Blalock, a Tennessee native, will serve as the Program Coordinator and lead the Gleaning Network for SoSAMS. Her responsibilities will include coordinating gleanings, including locating food from farms and farmers across the state, as well as recruiting volunteers for gleanings and other activities. She has two years of experience at a local food distribution organization and will take her experience to the statewide level. She is also a graduate of Mississippi College and resides in Fondren. She is an active member of Grace City Church. Blalock has been with SoSAMS since January of 2021.

Mississippi & Arkansas Gleaning

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 8am. and are on their way home by noon. 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 that they support in their local area.

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.

It is important that the contact person 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.

For information about gleaning in Mississippi, please contact our Mississippi Program Coordinator.