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Farmers donate thousands of pounds of sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving

Jerrita Patterson

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Church of the Holy Communion was joined by several organizations and hundreds of volunteers for the second annual Crop Drop.

Tens of thousands of pounds of sweet potatoes were bagged up and will soon be en route to dinner tables for Thanksgiving.


In several languages, volunteers are sending warm wishes for a happy holiday. But the sad reality is that the comfort and joy many feel during this time of year may not be there for everyone.

“What I have been hearing from agencies is that the need is increasing lately,” said Heidi Rupke, the Food Rescue Coordinator for Project Green Fork. “Prices are high and our community needs support.”

In East Memphis over the weekend, the Church of the Holy Convocation took their ministry from the sanctuary to the streets.

Reverend Sandy Webb started the day off with prayer.

“Bless every table that will receive these sweet potatoes,” Rev. Webb said.

He said his prayers were already answered when it came to how to help those less fortunate for Thanksgiving.

“Today, Church of the Holy Communion in partnership with a number of community service organizations is bringing in 40,000 pounds of sweet potatoes,” Rev. Webb said.

  • The Church of Holy Communion hosts second annual Crop Drop.
  • The Church of Holy Communion hosts second annual Crop Drop.
  • The Church of Holy Communion hosts second annual Crop Drop.
  • The Church of Holy Communion hosts second annual Crop Drop.

The church’s parking lot was transformed into a sorting and distribution center.

Early Saturday, a semi-truck pulled in to drop off the root vegetables that will soon become part of many Thanksgiving dinners.

Janice Hall, who’s with the church said they are focused on its ministry making a difference.

“We recover food from caterers, restaurants, from the farmers market and then we feed hope,” Hall said. “We know that people can be more successful in life if they are not hungry.”

All of this, by the way, was donated by Tennessee farmers.

For some, it is simply a sweet potato, but for others, it could serve as a lifeline for those who otherwise may be forced to go without.  

“At a very base level, the whole point of today is to show love,” Rev. Webb said. “Scripture says God is love. Sometimes that looks like a hug, sometimes it looks like a sweet potato.”