Tuesday , December 3 2024

It Takes an Army of Angels

“No man, woman or child should go without basic human needs. It takes an Army of Angels to meet the greater need.” ~ Rhonda Miller

Army of AngelsBorn in Alabama, raised by a single mother, in a house with seven siblings, Rhonda experienced all too well the pangs of hunger. One of her most impactful childhood memories was when local high school students came to her house to deliver “bag after bag of groceries” right before Thanksgiving. Rhonda was 10, but she understood that the community had come together to help them. This event, years later, would inspire Rhonda to open a foodbank for the community in McDonough, United Food Force, Inc., and add the tag line, “Uniting Forces to Combat Hunger.”

In March 2013, she filed for 501c3 for United Food Force and signed a lease for the 13,000 sq foot distribution center. Unexpectedly, Rhonda was diagnosed with Stage 4 endometrial uterine carcinoma, and not given much hope for survival. God had different plans. In November of the same year, after winning an eight-month battle with cancer, Rhonda launched United Food Force in McDonough, GA.

That year, United Food Force started a weekly food program that served 72 families a week. Today, they serve over 2000 families in need every week, serve non-profit partners like Haven House, A Friend’s House, Operation Lunchbox, Connecting Henry, and Our World at H.O.P.E. Park, and continue to supply emergency food boxes for those who find themselves in sudden need.

With 1 out of every 5 households being food insecure, Rhonda’s vision is to open community food banks across the United States. Following that vision, Rhonda opened a second food bank in Odessa, FL in October 2017, Florida Food Force, serving 3000 families per week, and was anticipating a third opening in Daytona Beach, FL in the fall of 2022. This last plan is currently unrealized, as a diagnosis of Stage 4 liver, small intestine, colon, gall bladder and stomach cancer entered the picture for Rhonda. She was given no hope for survival. But it appears that God had different plans once again.

Rhonda will tell you that she will be done fighting against hunger when God decides to take her home, and not a second before that.

“One of the greatest feelings in the world is knowing that we as individuals can make a difference. Ending hunger in America is a goal that is literally within our grasp.” ~ Jeff Bridges

Throughout the years, Rhonda and her team at United Food Force has depended on the “army of Angels” to which Rhonda refers often. Those angels are the generous donors, the wonderful volunteers, the amazing community partners, the Board of Directors, and the staff at United Food Force. Some people say it takes a village; Rhonda will tell you it takes an army of Angels. To those Angels, she will always be grateful!

Emergency food boxes are available Monday-Wednesday, 9:00 to 3:00 p.m. with photo identification at United Food Force, located at 1463 Highway 20 W., McDonough, GA 30253. Ask about the weekly food program while you are there. There are no income or geographical restrictions.

Florida Food Force

NEED FOOD ASSISTANCE?
WE CAN HELP!
CALL 727-261-7422
www.FloridaFoodForce.org

11523 Prosperous Drive, Odessa, FL 33556

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