VERSAILLES — A local business has hatched a plan to aid thousands of families made destitute and hungry by Hurricane Irma.
Weaver Eggs of Versailles, Ohio, a top egg producer in Darke County and the state, is shipping 144,000 eggs, or 12,000 dozen, to Florida. In partnership with Winn-Dixie Supermarkets, the eggs are being shipped to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida where they will be freely distributed to those in need.
Weaver Eggs President Tim Weaver said the company is “very happy” to partner with Winn-Dixie to provide Hurricane Irma relief to the citizens of Florida.
“Many people lost everything they own in Florida,” he said, noting that eggs are a good, convenient source of protein. “Most people were without power for nearly a week. Because they were without power, they had to throw away their perishable items from refrigerators.”
The semi-truck carrying the eggs, packaged securely and wrapped in pallets, left the docks at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning. Weaver said the shipment should arrive in Orlando, Florida, by 8 a.m. Friday morning.
Weaver said the company’s management team came together to make the decision to help.
“We just thought it was the right thing to do,” he said. “We called our partner Winn-Dixie and asked them what they thought about it, and they thought it was great.”
Weaver said this initiative is from the heart, not an act of publicity.
“Most times, when we give, we don’t seek publicity,” he said. “But we have friends and family in Florida, and it kind of touched me, and I really felt the impact of what was going on there and wanted to be a part of the recovery.”
“I think government is doing the best it can down there. Many organizations, such as Weaver Brothers, are also trying to help the people of Florida and in Texas,” he added.
Weaver said this is the company’s largest, one-time egg donation thus far, but Weaver’s giving back to the community is definitely not a one-time thing.
“Every spring we give to the food banks here in Ohio, and we help local food banks every month,” he said. “We’re just happy to be able to do it.”
