EASTOVER, S.C. — For the last day or so, the population of people living in Eastover, South Carolina has been dwarfed - many times over - by the number of potatoes now calling it home.
Specifically, these spuds are now sitting in front of the town hall. But the hopes of both the pastor who helped make it happen and the town itself are that they find new homes in local kitchens.
The Town of Eastover posted a picture that almost defies belief. A mountain of potatoes almost the size of the town hall itself sitting right outside. According to the post, they're free - and the work of Pastor Malcolm Taylor of New Light Beulah Baptist Church.
Pastor Taylor said companies often call him about giving away truckloads of potatoes. In this case, he said he wanted to give them to Eastover - an area he said is sometimes overlooked when it comes to distribution.
He said the mayor welcomed the gift there. Taylor said he also had some delivered to Hopkins.
All it took was a little bit of coordination and kindness. Now, a bumper crop of future French fries is getting to locals who need them.
But even a mountain this size is bound to dwindle down eventually. Folks online appeared to be aware of that as well. As of about 7 a.m. on Saturday morning, an administrator for the town of Eastover's social media said that there were still potatoes left when someone asked.
Whether their future is being cooked in the microwave or baked in the sun on the town hall parking lot remains to be seen.
Either way, as more people find out, there's a good chance that the spud-to-person ratio in Eastover, South Carolina will go back to normal in no time.