Food Bank Honors Pat Standard With Program

A scholarship will help carry on the legacy of someone who worked to help make sure people in Stephens County did not go hungry.

Pat Standard was a long-time supporter of the Northeast Georgia Food Bank and the Stephens County Food 2 Kids program, as well as the director of Stephens County Neighbors 4 Neighbors program.

She passed away in September.

Now, the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia is announcing the start of the Pat Standard Memorial Food 2 Kids Scholarship program.

Northeast Georgia Food Bank President and CEO John Becker said Standard was an amazing person who did a lot to help make sure people had food in Toccoa and Stephens County.

“She has been one of the force of nature people who really pushes things forward as far as ending hunger and her focus was Toccoa,” said Becker.

The Food 2 Kids program aims to bridge the weekly weekend hunger gap for children from food insecure households by providing free bags of child friendly and specific foods that are easy to open, nutritious, and that require no cooking.

Started by Standard in 2010 in Stephens County, the program now helps 217 children this year.

Becker said the scholarship will pay for five children, who will be known as “Pat’s Kids,” to receive weekend meals through this program.

“The scholarship will work within the community, making sure those children get those meals in Stephens County. It is a fully paid bag of food for a child for a school year,” said Becker.

It will be for Stephens County children only.

Becker said the Food Bank felt this was an appropriate way to recognize, honor, and memorialize Pat Standard and her work in the community.

“What a wonderful lady and inspiration Pat was and still is and we want to continue that inspiration,” said Becker.

Pat’s husband, Dave Standard, said that he is sure Pat is smiling because of all of the children that the Food 2 Kids program is helping and will help through this scholarship program.