The West Citrus Elks just presented the Community Food Bank with another donation. They have been long time supporters in the fight to End Hunger and Nourish Hope. Their $1000 donation will help provide 10,000 holiday meals to our neighbors in need throughout the Nature Coast. THANK YOU for your continued support!
We are so grateful to the SECO Energy Foundation. They just donated $20,000 to the Community Food Bank which will provide 200,000 meals to families in need throughout Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter Counties. Thank you so much for your generosity and for also helping make sure our all of our neighbors in need can enjoy a holiday meal this season!
Pictured from left to right: Mariah Delgado, Executive Director of the SECO Energy Foundation; Barbara Sprague, Executive Director/CEO of the Community Food Bank; and Mary Pericht, Secretary of the SECO Energy Foundation.
Dear Valued Friends and Supporters of the Community Food Bank,
I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who generously donated to the Community Food Bank as part of the Lamb Family donation match challenge. Thanks to your incredible generosity, we were able to raise a total of $50,065 which will provide 500,650 meals to our neighbors in need throughout Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter counties.
In the wake of the recent federal government shutdown, many families throughout the Nature Coast faced unprecedented financial hardships and struggled to put food on the table. Recognizing this urgent need, the Lamb Family launched a generous $25,000 Matching Donation Challenge to rally support and double the impact of every donation made to the Community Food Bank.
As always, the generosity of Citrus County shined, and the community came through for us again! Your contributions will have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of so many individuals and families who continue to struggle. The simple act of donating has made a world of difference to those who rely on the Community Food Bank for support, especially during challenging times. We are truly grateful for your kindness and compassion.
It’s so heartwarming to see our community come together in such a meaningful way to support those in need. On behalf of the Community Food Bank Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and the 70+ partner agencies we serve, I want to extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation to each and every one of you who donated. The simple act of donating has made a world of difference to those who rely on the Community Food Bank and our pantry partners for support. Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of our neighbors in need as we continue to End Hunger and Nourish Hope throughout the Nature Coast.
With heartfelt thanks,
Barbara Sprague
CEO/Executive Director
Community Food Bank
The Community Food Bank was honored to receive a generous donation from our local Democratic Black Caucus. The organization presented CEO/Executive Director Barbara Sprague with a check for $1100 to help End Hunger and Nourish Hope throughout Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter Counties. These funds will provide 11,000 meals to our neighbors in need. Thank you so much for your generosity and support!
The Community Food Bank was excited to have local volunteers from the Florida Department of Public Works come out and help us sort and pack food for distribution to our 70+ partner agencies. We operate out of two large warehouses which we use to receive, sort, and distribute food to more than 120,000 individuals each month throughout Citrus, Hernando, and Citrus County. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of volunteers who generously give of their time. THANK YOU!
We want to extend a great big THANK YOU to the Walmart in Bushnell. Allen Sanden, Manager, presented Community Food Bank CEO/Executive Director Barbara Sprague with a check for $1000. This gift will be used to provide 10,000 meals to our neighbors in need!
We are excited to see our friend and Hunger Hero, Nancy Kennedy, recently being honored by Comcast as a Champion of the Community. Additionally, the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed November 4, 2025 as, “Nancy Kennedy Day.”
“Nancy Kennedy is a dedicated advocate and tireless champion in the fight against hunger in Citrus County,” says Barbara Sprague, CEO/Executive Director of the Community Food Bank. “With a passion for helping those in need, Nancy has devoted countless hours to raising awareness and supporting the Community Food Bank and our partner agencies in alleviating food insecurity. She is well-deserving of this esteemed honor!”
Kennedy is a long time write/reporter for The Chronicle. She is also a respected author of numerous Christian books including, “Move Over, Victoria – I Know the Real Secret,” “Girl on a Swing,” and “Lipstick Grace.”
In the wake of the recent federal government shutdown, many families throughout the Nature Coast are facing unprecedented financial hardships, struggling to put food on the table. Recognizing this urgent need, The Lamb Family, staples in the local community and in the fight to end hunger, has launched a generous $25,000 Matching Donation Challenge to rally support and double the impact of every donation made to the Community Food Bank (CFB).
According to Barbara Sprague, CEO/Executive Director of the CFB, the $25,000 Matching Donation Challenge is designed to support families throughout the Nature Coast who have been significantly impacted by the recent government shutdown.
“Many households in Citrus, Sumter, and Hernando counties rely on steady income from government jobs, contracts, and benefits programs like SNAP or WIC and the pause in paychecks has created unexpected financial hardships,” explains Sprague. “These families face challenges in putting food on the table, covering essential bills, and maintaining their daily routines. By contributing to this matching challenge, donors are helping to ensure that individuals directly affected have access to nutritious meals and vital resources during this difficult time.”
Sprague says the CFB is committed to providing immediate relief and foster a sense of hope and stability for families striving to get through the uncertainty brought on by the federal government shutdown.
“This inspiring initiative provides critical assistance to those hardest hit” says Sprague. “By matching every dollar donated up to $25,000, the Lamb Family is doubling the impact of every contribution, ensuring that more families receive the nourishment and assistance they desperately need.”
Essentially, for every dollar contributed by November 15th, a matching donation will be made by The Lamb Family, effectively doubling the funds raised. This means that a $50 donation instantly becomes $100, allowing the CFB to provide twice as many meals, essential groceries, and support services to families struggling as a result of the government shutdown.
Every $10 donated to the CFB provides 100 meals. Would you like to be part of Ending Hunger and Nourishing Hope by making a donation that has double the impact? Visit www.feed352.org to make a donation by November 15th or schedule a tour of our headquarters and food warehouses at 5259 W Cardinal Street, Homosassa.
As economic challenges deepen and federal assistance programs face significant cuts, communities across the nation are grappling with a surge in food insecurity. The Community Food Bank (CFB), which is now Feeding Tampa Bay’s Regional Distribution Organization (RDO) for Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter counties, is seeing unprecedented demand in the need for food assistance. Working families and individuals are finding it harder than ever to put meals on the table. In response to this growing crisis, the CFB is urgently calling on residents, businesses, and organizations to consider becoming a hunger hero by offering donations and support.
“Recent economic challenges have profoundly affected our local communities, exacerbating food insecurity at an alarming rate,” explains Barbara Sprague, CEO/Executive Director of the CFB. “Job losses, rising living costs, and reduced wages have left many families struggling to put meals on the table. As expenses for essentials like housing, utilities, and healthcare continue to climb, less money is available for nutritious food, pushing more individuals and households into hunger.”
Compounding this issue are recent cuts to federal assistance programs that many vulnerable families rely on for support. These reductions have created a widening gap between the growing need for food aid and the resources available to meet it.
“We are now witnessing unprecedented demand, and early projections indicate at least a 30% increase in individuals who will need food assistance in the coming months,” says Sprague. “The strain on the CFB and our 75+ partner agencies is immense, thus the critical need for increased donations and support to sustain our efforts in providing essential nourishment to those who need it most.”
The CFB serves as a vital lifeline, providing nourishing food to more than 120,000 individuals in need each month. The surge in demand has significantly strained the CFB’s resources, and without immediate support, the organization risks falling short in meeting the basic needs of our neighbors.
“Without urgent action, the ripple effects of economic hardship will continue to deepen food insecurity, impacting the health and well-being of countless individuals across our communities,” explains Sprague.
The Homosassa Lion’s Club, staunch supporters of the Community Food Bank for many years, took a fun approach to fighting hunger. They hosted a bingo night and raised $1000! This exciting and entertaining event will provide 10,000 meals to our neighbors in need throughout the Nature’s Coast. Thank you Homosassa Lion’s Club for being a Hunger Hero!
