VALDOSTA — America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia Inc. envisions “a South Georgia where every American has quick and easy access to safe food in a clean, nurturing environment.”

In order for the nonprofit organization to realize this, however, it’s going to need a little help from its friends.

On Saturday, Oct. 18, America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia Inc. will host its annual Make A Difference Day event at its 1411 Harbin Circle facility. From 8 a.m. to noon, volunteers of all ages will assemble into teams and assist the organization by cleaning, sorting and inspecting donated product; cleaning the warehouse; assembling boxes of food that will be distributed to the needy during the holidays; and helping to beautify the grounds.

In 2007, some 750 volunteers assisted America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia Inc. in bettering the services it offers to Valdosta, Lowndes County and surrounding communities.

Director of Development Shannon Taw Zapf said, “We need your help to make this year’s event even bigger.”

“If you volunteer regularly at the Second Harvest, this will give you the extra push in your ongoing volunteer activity,” she added. “If you do not volunteer now, this is a great way to get started.”

Volunteers will receive a free lunch and T-shirt while supplies last.

There will be a children’s carnival with games and a bounce house, as well as an opportunity for everyone to meet and greet various local heroes, including Sparky the Fire Dog and officers with the Lowndes County’s Drug Task Force and K-9 Unit.

Although Make A Difference Day is technically scheduled on the fourth Saturday of the month— Oct. 25 this year— Zapf said America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia Inc. needed to hold its event a week early for one reason or another, giving them a jump-start on the fast-approaching holiday season.

Make A Difference Day is the most encompassing national day of helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors, and everyone can participate. It was created by USA WEEKEND magazine.

Millions have participated in Make A Difference Day events across the nation. In 2007, an estimated 3 million people cared enough about their communities to volunteer on that day, accomplishing thousands of projects in hundreds of towns.

According to its Web site, America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia Inc. is the largest hunger relief organization in South Georgia. Its facility annually provides over 8 million pounds of food to over 300 local charities each year through such programs as The Valdosta Food Bank, Rescue Valdosta, Kids Cafe, Manna Truck and the Community Kitchen.

America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia Inc. is committed to ending hunger in South Georgia, creating a means to easily and affordably access food for every person in South Georgia, feeding children and providing a safe environment for children to grow and learn, providing the means to rescue and safely store all donated excess food in the region, and ensuring that every community that relies on the services of America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia Inc. is adequately assisted in the fight against hunger.

To volunteer with America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia Inc. during its Make A Difference Day event Saturday, please contact Director of Volunteer Services Eva Lott via telephone at (229) 244-2678 or e-mail at elott@valdostafoodbank.org.