Local Businessman Starts Food Drive

Nothing bothers Fritz Dent more than the concept of families going hungry, especially around the holidays.

So when the native saw a can-a-thon on television several years ago, a light bulb went on.

Why not start a similar food drive in Bartow County?

“I love Cartersville dearly,” said Dent, 51, who has spearheaded the Thanksgiving Can-A-Thon here for three years. “I’ve lived here all my life and wanted to give something back to the community.’’

Boxes are placed each year at various businesses throughout the community for a month before Thanksgiving and donated canned goods are collected for four local food pantries.

The extra food couldn't have come at a better time for New Beginnings in Acworth. CFO Dwight Holcomb said donations at the food pantry have been down.

"We were certainly glad to see [the donations this year]," he said. "We're in the process of handing out some of it now."

At the end of the month—a recent Tuesday—all the cans are collected and brought to a hanger at the airport where Dent is the operations manager with .

On the day of the actual can-a-thon, residents came to the airport and dropped off cans.

This year, provided hot dogs and hamburgers, and there were tours of four airplanes and a helicopter. also broadcast live from the free evening event.

Residents also donated money—one $10,000 anonymous donation alone this year. That money is used to buy food for the four pantries.

“Not one single dime leaves Bartow County,” said Dent as he sat recently in his cozy airport office. A black and orange cat snoozed nearby and family and fishing photos lined his desk.

Dent’s family has a history of civic duty in Cartersville. His uncle and father both served as mayor.

Dent, who has been married to his wife Cindy for 20-some years, graduated from in 1979 and went on to Jacksonville State University.

The former flight attendant has worked for Phoenix Air for almost 15 years. He and Cindy have two sons, the oldest of whom is interning at Phoenix, a company owned partly by Dent’s two cousins.

Dent is one of those people who is very genuine in his attempts at feeding the hungry, said Jack Howell, director at the Harvest House, a food pantry in Cartersville.

"He has a very caring heart," he said.

Dent will spend the holidays with his family this year. He hopes what he's done with the can-a-thon can help other families have as good a Thanksgiving meal as he does.

"If you give people money, you're never sure where it goes," Dent said. "This way you know it is going to really help."