Liberty County Manna House to Continue Food Giveaway After Large Walmart Donation.

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Liberty County Manna House is continuing to help families in need after receiving a large donation of perishable food from the Walmart in Hinesville.

The Walmart near the Flemington community temporarily closed Sunday for renovations and is expected to remain closed through July 30. Before closing, the store donated its remaining perishable food items to Manna House instead of letting them go to waste.

Executive Director Katrina Deason said the organization quickly spread the word on social media, and the response was immediate.

“We had people all over this county that saw on social media that Manna House had some extra food, and they wanted to receive a bag of food,” Deason said.

She said people began lining up before the food even arrived.

“They got here before the food got here,” she said.

The turnout became so large that traffic backed up around the pantry, prompting staff to ask law enforcement to help direct vehicles.

For this special giveaway, Manna House is serving anyone who needs help. Deason said recipients included Fort Stewart soldiers, working families and others struggling to make ends meet.

“It really touched my heart because it gave me another sense of urgency about the need that’s in the community. People need help,” she said.

With school out for the summer, Deason said many children are also missing the breakfasts and lunches they normally receive during the school year, making donations like this even more important. The demand for assistance continued even during our interview. We briefly paused as Deason answered a phone call from someone asking whether food was still available.

The Liberty County Manna House will continue distributing food Wednesday from 9 a.m. until noon, or until supplies run out, at its location on Memorial Drive.

Deason also thanked the volunteers who helped distribute the food and expressed special appreciation to Walmart for donating the groceries.