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Neighbors Fear for Future of Ga. Plant
"There's a fence between us, but it means nothing," declared Ruth B. Crawford.
Since Crawford purchased the rundown warren of decaying buildings in 1977 to open the center, she's grown to view Castleberry's as a crucial partner. The plant has donated food, funding and supplies to the center.
  A pickup truck is checked by security at the entrance to the Castleberry's Food plant in Augusta, Ga., Tuesday, July 24, 2007. The plant has temporarily shut down after it was linked to botulism in canned chili. (AP Photo/Gene Blythe) (Gene Blythe - AP) 
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"When we got in dire need, I could always look to them for help," Crawford said.
The center's newly appointed director, Tonda Booker, plans to continue working with the plant, with hopes of creating an outreach program to recruit and train neighborhood teens to work for Castleberry's.
But suddenly, her priorities have changed. Instead of charting out plans to work with Castleberry's, her attention turned to the center's modest food pantry: At least 10 percent of the donations have come from Castleberry's.
Now she's worried the plant could close for good.
"I'm hoping they don't close. I'm nervous about it. We depend on them for so much," she said. "Do you know what an empty Castleberry's would do to this community?"
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On the Net:
Food and Drug Administration: http:/
Castleberry's Food Co.: http:/
