The second annual canned food drive held at the Judicial Correction Services in Jemison almost tripled donations from 2013.

“We are so excited that we had such a positive response this year,” JCS Probation Officer Tonia Hamby said Tuesday.

Hamby and JCS Supervisor Steve Raymond delivered a truck filled canned food to the Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center in Clanton Tuesday.

Hamby said the food drive was held at the JCS office during November and December as a way to give back to the community for the holiday season.

“We had such a success with it last year that we decided to do it again,” Hamby said. “We also anticipate this being an annual thing.”

Raymond said many of the defendants who visit JCS for various things such as probation payments are already facing adversity in their lives.

“To know that many of these people were willing to step up and help others in the community when a lot of the defendants who donated are also trying to get their lives back on track really speaks volumes,” Raymond said. “I think that is a gratifying experience for many people to help others even if they need help as well.”

Hamby said those who donated canned food items learned about the food drive by visiting the JCS office in Jemison.

“Last year, we had about 300 pounds of food we donated, and this year to learn that we have over 1,000 pounds is wonderful,” Hamby said.

After all of the food was unloaded, volunteers at the Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center weighed the food at 1,080 pounds.

Betty McGee, who works at the food bank, said donations at the holidays are always a blessing.

“We have roughly 30-40 people that come through the food bank which is about 1,500 pounds of food we give out,” McGee said. “We are always asking for donations, but during the Christmas season I think people just enjoy giving more. Donations have been wonderful this year.”