JEFFERSON COUNTY — Organizers of a recent food drive in Jefferson County have now more than doubled their collection goal in a state-wide challenge and surpassed the drive effort in Chicago.

According to David Keen, the original goal in Jefferson County was to collect 4,000 pounds of food to help the 100,000 Pounds Challenge to Fight Food Insecurity.

Initial totals placed the collection amount at more than 5,000 pounds of non-perishable food donated locally.

But as donations were brought in from other collection locations across the county, organizers are now reporting people in Jefferson County gave 4.5 tons of food.

That’s 9,000 pounds of food that will stay right here in Jefferson County to help people in need.

Angels on Assignment served as the coordinating point for the drop-off and collection of food.

Lynn Lenker lead of AOA said their goal of 2,000 pounds or one ton would “be a great help in our Jefferson County area, but to see such a wonderful turnout from churches, businesses, schools, and the community has been very rewarding.”

Food collected will stay in Jefferson County and was shared with AOA, Rescue Mission, Epworth United Methodist Church and Faith Lutheran.

Lynn says they are so grateful for the partnership of volunteers and donors to fight hunger in Jefferson County.