MOULTRIE – The Waldo DeLoache Foundation made the largest single grant in its history when it gave the Colquitt Food Bank $100,000 to support the building of a new facility.

The Waldo DeLoache Foundation was established in the will of Waldo DeLoache and began giving grants to benefit the people of South Georgia in 2008. Since then, over $2 million of gifts have been made. Its focus is primarily on capital projects, according to a press release from the Foundation.

“The Food Bank does a great work in our community and has done it almost exclusively with volunteers,” said Rick Moss, chairman of the Foundation Board.

Board member Lane Wear added, “Also, they are funded by almost exclusively through local donations, either directly or through the United Way.”

Roy Reeves, of the Foundation board, said that when they learned about the incredible growth in demand the food bank has experienced, and the need for a new facility, the board knew this was a project they needed to get behind in a major way.

“Our current building was built in 1986, and we have outgrown it. In 2018, we served 4,159 families providing 174,015 meals. In 2023, we served 9,500 families providing 411,915 meals,” said Laura Keith, director of the Colquitt Food Bank.

Foundation Board Member and City Councilman Cecil Barber said that the City of Moultrie applied for a grant on behalf of the Food Bank and will receive $1,000,000 to help with facility costs and purchase of land. However, he added, the bid for a new building was $1.7 million, so additional funds will be needed.

“We hope our grant can shine a spotlight on this need in our community and can help them raise all the support they need. This is Colquitt County people helping Colquitt County people,” said Johnny Slocumb, member of the Foundation board.

The board of directors of the Waldo DeLoache Foundation are Rick Moss, Roy Reeves, Cecil Barber, Lane Wear and Johnny Slocumb.