By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
James “Jay” Bushee always wanted to do something to help people in need, people who are hungry. But it wasn’t until his employer recently announced layoffs that the Ellerbe man decided to do something about it.
A dog trainer by trade, Bushee and partners have created Marshy Ducks Outfitters with a simple but effective motto: Duck hunters feeding the hungry. In time, he hopes to have a retail store that offers discounted outdoor recreation items — kayaks, canoes, fishing poles, hunting gear and more — that simply haven’t sold at manufacturers’ original retail outlets. Up to 50 percent of the proceeds of sales would then be donated to local food pantries and groups who are helping to feed the less fortunate.
Even before he begins contacting suppliers to open up a bargain outfitting store, though, Bushee figures there’s something he can do to help get word out. On Jan. 10, Bushee will be coordinating his second food drive in less than a month. This one is set to begin at 10 a.m. at Food King on East Washington Street in Rockingham. Items donated will be given to Our Daily Bread food pantry on South Randolph Street.
“We’re hunters,” Bushee said, “that want to help the community and feed one town at a time.”
On Dec. 13, Bushee staged his first food drive at Food King in Ellerbe. A 5-foot by 10-feet trailer was filled with items that were donated to The Foundation of Jesus Christ Deliverance Temple in Ellerbe.
The effort in Rockingham on Jan. 10 will have a similar result, Bushee hoped.
Proceeds from a yet-to-be scheduled third benefit food drive will go to a Hamlet food pantry, though a receiving organization has not yet been identified.
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