Linda Daly presents Community Food Bank Board Member Steve Hilsdon a check for $1000 on behalf of Daly & Zilch (Florida) and their employees.
The employees of Daly & Zilch (Florida) – General Contractors – spread some Christmas blessings and cheer by donating $1000 to help the Community Food Bank provide 10,000 meals to our neighbors in need. Your kindness, generosity, and blessings will be felt throughout the Nature Coast during Christmas and as we head into 2025. THANK YOU!!!
Pictured from left to right:
Guy Zingaro, Cindy Crnek, Lucy Desiderio. Stephanie James (CFB Operations Manager), Steve Teska (CFB Board Member), Ben Lee, Cynthia Lopell (CFB Vice President), Carolyn Kilduff, Bonnie Teska, and Terry Drury.
The Sugarmill Woods Civic Association delivered a wonderful Christmas gift this year! They presented the Community Food Bank with a check for $5000 to purchase a new pallet jack, which is desperately needed to help the CFB distribute tens of thousands of meals throughout the Nature Coast.
THANK YOU for your generosity and ongoing commitment to End Hunger and Nourish Hope!
We can always count on our friends at the West Citrus Elks #2693 to come through to help feed their neighbors in need! They donated $5000 to the Community Food Bank which will be used to feed 50,000 throughout the Nature Coast. THANK YOU for your continued, generous support.
Pictured from left to right: Mike Floch, Leading Knight, Rick Jeroski, Chairman, Kris Estus, Treasurer, and Barbara Sprague, CEO/Executive Director of the Community Food Bank. Not pictured: Brian Estus Lodge Advisor.
The Community Food Bank (CFB) unveils its new holiday gift giving program featuring two options that give back throughout the year.
“Our holiday gift giving program is an especially appealing solution for those people on your shopping list who are difficult to buy for and/or really don’t need anything in particular,” says Barbara Sprague, CEO/Executive Director of the CFB.
The person who makes the gift will receive a tax receipt. The recipient being honored will receive a thank you letter from the CFB notifying them of the gift what impact will be made in their honor. The gift will be used to feed families and individuals in need throughout the Nature Coast.
Participate by visiting: https://feed352.org/donate-online/
Individuals, families, organizations, companies, etc. have the opportunity to purchase a tree or numerous trees either in their name or in the name of a person, a pet, or company they want to honor. The tree(s) will be planted, and a customized staked tree plaque will be placed in front of the tree denoting the name of who purchased the tree and who it is honoring. The person/entity the tree is being planted in honor of will receive a certificate and image of the tree and plaque.
Participate by visiting: https://feed352.org/trees/
“Rather than purchasing physical gifts that people may or may not need or use, we are offering you an option to honor your loved ones, friends, employees, business associates, etc. during this holiday season,” explains Sprague. “This is a quick, easy, and philanthropic way to complete all of your holiday shopping.”
The Community Food Bank (CFB) received a $20,000 grant from Suncoast Credit Union to help the organization feed children throughout Citrus and Hernando counties (ages 0-18) nutritious meals outside of school settings. According to Barbara Sprague, CEO/Executive Director of the CFB, the grant will provide 200,000 kid-friendly, nutritious meals that will be distributed to the CFB’s 60+ partner agencies.
“Each of our agencies is supplied with food relief and resources to connect families and individuals to the help they need to overcome their crisis and become independent again. Children are at the heart of our efforts as they often suffer from the plight of their parents and have no voice in their situation,” explains Sprague. “These young victims are often underweight, obese, score low scholastically, lag in reading scores, and become the next cycle in generational poverty. Our movement works to end hunger, nourish hope, promote awareness, and inspire others to be our partners in the fight against food insecurity.”
While children on reduced and free school meal programs are fed when school is in session, there is a significant gap during the evenings, weekends, holidays, and summer.
“For many children, the only food they have access to is the free meals offered at school,” says Sprague. “We are so grateful for organizations such as Suncoast Credit Union who can step in and help us fill the gap!”
For more information about Suncoast Credit Union, please visit https://www.suncoastcreditunion.com/.
About Suncoast Credit Union
Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 8th largest in
the United States based on membership, and the 11th largest in the United States based on its $17.1 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 77 full-service branches and serves more than one million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union’s service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union’s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida’s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $40 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoastcreditunion.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Community Food Bank teamed up with Joe Fara, President of the Homosassa Civic Club, Inc., and his members to provide local residents with food and supplies in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Homosassa Civic Club Hurricane Relief Center offers hot meals, clean-up kits, food, drinks, and other supplies.
Additionally, Senator Marco Rubio’s staff was on-site on October 17th to help residents apply for FEMA assistance.
Seth Dupelle, Assistant Warehouse Manager for the Community Food Bank (second from right), along with the Assistant Principal and staff at Eastside Elementary in Brooksville prepare a Hurricane Milton relief distribution of food, water, and supplies for delivery to the Hernando County school.
The Community Food Bank distributed several pallets of PRIME Hydration drink as part of their Hurricane Milton relief efforts in Citrus and Hernando Counties. The Community Food Bank received the donation through the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. PRIME Hydration, a subsidiary of CONGO™ Brands, was founded by entrepreneurs and influencers Logan Paul and KSI. Thanks to this donation, residents affected by Hurricane Milton can refuel with this zero added sugar, electrolyte rich hydration drink.
The Community Food Bank is out in full force distributing hurricane relief supplies to our 60+ partner agencies, as well as out in the community. We’ve received pallets of tarps from the Citrus County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), water, MRE’s and muck bucket clean-up kits. If you or someone you know has been affected, please know there are tons of volunteers helping to fill the gap to get these supplies distributed as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone who has suffered a loss as a result devastating storm.
Please be sure to follow our Facebook page for the latest updates, resources, and important information as it becomes available.
Woo hoo! We’ve received another generous donation from the Crystal River Eagles Ladies Auxiliary 4272. Their gift of $1195 was matched by the Black Diamond Foundation for a total of $2390. That’s another 23,900 meals to feed those in need. THANK YOU, LADIES!