Gleaning in Mississippi & Arkansas

 Gleaning Image

In 2023, through December:
637,250 pounds of food gleaned and distributed
2,549,000 servings of fresh food shared
39 events held to rescue and share food
353 volunteers engaged in hands-on service
36 recipient agencies and partners

Read the Mississippi Impact Summary

The Society of St. Andrew operates a volunteer-driven Gleaning Network that relies on farmers, donors, and volunteers who partner together to fresh produce every year and use it to feed hungry people across the region.

Through the Mississippi Gleaning Network, SoSA coordinates volunteers in many areas of the state who enter fields after the farmers have finished harvesting and simply pick, dig, or gather the tons of good produce left behind. Our volunteers represent groups from various church denominations, synagogues, youth groups, other civic organizations, individuals, and inner-city residents.

The SoSA MS Gleaning Network is led by two local staff and works with hundreds of partners across the state. They are passionate about sharing good food with Mississippians in need and want to work with you! Join the mission and share good food with our neighbors in need.

Sign Up To Volunteer

Read below to learn more about the SoSA staff team in Mississippi.

Langston Moore, a lifelong resident of Mississippi, serves as the Regional Director and leads the development, donor, and congregational relations, as well as oversees the direction of the office. He has over a decade of experience in food insecurity, hunger relief, and food access. He and his wife, Lisa, reside in the capital city of Jackson. He is a graduate of Mississippi College and he and his wife and 18 year-old-son, are active members of Fondren Church in Jackson. Moore has been with SoSAMS since August of 2020.

Gwendolyn Braddy serves as Program Coordinator for the Society of St. Andrew Mississippi. She is a graduate of both Mississippi College and The University of Mississippi. She is a resident of Jackson, Mississippi, and previously worked as and environmental scientist and an educator on both the high school and college levels. Prior to joining on staff, Braddy was a dedicated volunteer with SoSA for many years. Gwendolyn is passionate about ending hunger and eliminating food insecurity.

Gleaning Farm Fields in Mississippi
Please contact us to indicate your interest in gleaning. When we have opportunities within 30-45 minutes of your location, we will email you with details and invite you to join us in the fields.

Most gleaning events take place on weekends where gleaners arrive in the fields around 8 am. and are on their way home by noon. The Society of St. Andrew makes all arrangements with farmers, produce containers, and food distribution. All that volunteer gleaners need to do is show up. Volunteer groups are encouraged to take food back to agencies or programs they support locally.

SoSA welcomes volunteers of all abilities.
Please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator if you would like to volunteer in another capacity. We may have administrative tasks or other opportunities that can be done outside of the fields.
Learn more about volunteer roles.

People of all ages can glean. Gleaners should be able to bend over and should be able to bend and lift several pounds of produce. The contact person must be reachable by phone during day-time hours. Most of our gleanings are in the morning and last three to four hours. Gleanings are scheduled week days and on Saturdays.

If you have questions about when local crops are available, we would be happy to help.

Learn more about SoSA on social media


How can my congregation or faith community get involved?
SoSA works to establish a community of love and to support lives of service and action, according to the Gospel witness. If you or your faith community are interested in receiving spiritual resources about hunger and hunger relief, or having a SoSA staff member speak at your congregation, contact our regional director.

If I have food, how can I donate it?
We work to make donating as easy as possible, and the interests and investments of our farmers are our highest priority. To find out more about donating, contact our program coordinator. Click to learn more.

How can my agency receive free food through SoSA?
It’s simple! Contact your program coordinator to start the conversation. We would love to hear about your work, your service population and food needs, and why you do what you do. Please e-mail ms-glean@endhunger.org with your name, contact information, agency location and hours, and your nonprofit EIN (if you have one).

Check Out SoSA In The News

Link Summary
Listen to Story This 8-minute interview on Mississippi Public Broadcasting summarizes some simple ways to make a difference in ending hunger.

Moore said. “Meaningful legislation is a great place to start in addressing food insecurity in Mississippi…But it’s also going to require funding…”

Read Story This article illustrates how SoSA partners with community champions in Jackson, MS in the mission to end hunger.

“When we saw the want and need for sweet potatoes, we did everything we could to try and secure some for this community.” -Dr. Heather Denne’, Executive Director, Community Engagement, JSU


Job Openings in Mississippi and Arkansas


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Non-discrimination Policy

The Society of St. Andrew, Inc. is committed to the principle that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, services, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by applicable laws.

The Society of St. Andrew, Inc. (SoSA) prohibits discrimination, harassment and bullying against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. 

The Society of St. Andrew, Inc. expects that its employees, volunteers, board members, and other constituents of The Society of St. Andrew, Inc., whenever and wherever those individuals are conducting SoSA business or participating in SoSA events or activities, shall maintain an environment free of discrimination, including harassment, bullying, or retaliation. (Download a copy of this policy.)

For more information or to register a violation of this policy, please contact:
Lynette Johnson, Executive Director
434-299-5956 | sosausa@endhunger.org