Thousands receive free food at Malone event
Leader photos by T. SCOTT BOATRIGHT
The line started forming well before daybreak Saturday as thousands of cars showed up to receive free food donated by the Karl Malone family and friends at a COVID-19 relief distribution held at Malone Toyota in Ruston. A small army of volunteers distributed 80,000 pounds of chicken, 50,000 pounds of sweet potatoes, 10,000 pounds of Russet potatoes, 10,000 pounds of apples, 3,000 pounds of bananas and oranges and 2,200 cases of water along with cereal, grits, oatmeal and noodles to 2,363 cars that converged on the event. Pictured above is a mountain of bread waiting to be distributed to drivers in cars at the drive-thru event.
Malone gives a social-distancing elbow bump greeting to a waiting attendee.
Volunteer Bailey Martin, 9, of Ruston loads a case of water in a car.
A volunteer breaking down empty boxes.
Pictured is the line of cars stretching down the service road waiting to reach Malone Toyota for the event.
