JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Tony Mangiameli and Scott Burnette of Marion County’s Jasper Highlands subdivision, alongside their wives, have banded together into giving away food to families in need in South Pittsburg. The first drive was held on Thursday, Nov. 13, and an additional gift card drive was also held afterwards the same week on Saturday, Nov. 15.
In a time of uncertainty caused by the recent government shutdown, business owners and organizations took action to provide food to those affected by cuts in food stamp funding. The residents of Jasper Highlands also decided to work together to help give back to the community within Marion County.
Mangiameli, who’s also a member of Mt. Bethlehem Baptist Church in South Pittsburg, explained many residents from the Highlands community gathered to help purchase and give away 50 bags of food to those in need within the area, with himself and Burnette working together in handling the food drive. The food drive took place between both The Hooch and Dollar General beside Cedar Avenue in a gravel lot that offered plenty of room for the food drive to be held, as many families and community members made their way to the drive itself.
In addition to the main goal of hosting the food drive, Mangiameli hoped the drive would help to bridge a dividing gap between those who reside in Jasper Highlands and those who don’t, a gap that has existed for some time.
“In reality, we’re all one community and we don’t want any division,” said Mangiameli.
Following the food drive held that Thursday was the gift card drive, where over 100 gift cards were given away to those in need in time for Thanksgiving. The gift cards went towards helping families purchase a turkey for the table during the holiday, and at 11:30 a.m. on that Saturday, the lot previously used for the food drive quickly filled with two rows of cars lined with residents from all around the area.
Mangiameli felt that hosting both drives, while bringing a joyful feeling, ultimately serves as a vital duty to commit to, one not only as a resident of Marion County, but also as a Christian.
“To me, it was a calling from God. It’s what we as humans are supposed to do,” said Mangiameli.