Archive for category: News

Complete Surveys and Earn Cash to Support the Community Food Bank

The Community Food Bank has been selected to receive funds from HundredX and we need YOUR help. Participating costs nothing, and you can raise up to $120 for the CFB. The campaign runs from July 15^th – August 13^th. Here’s how it works:

Every $10 donated equals 100 meals, so if you complete the maximum number of surveys, you will feed 1200 just by giving your opinion! It’s fun, easy, and takes less time than completing a level on your favorite mobile game app. Best of all, you will be able to offer your opinion on retail stores, food items, airlines, wireless providers and countless other products and/or services you use on a regular basis.

“We can receive up to $5,000 from HundredX,” explains Barbara Sprague, CEO/Executive Director of the CFB. “If 50 people participate in this campaign and reach the $120 maximum, we could achieve that goal.”

Want to help? Then scan the QR code or text “DFG” to 90412 to sign up now.

CFB CEO/Executive Director Barbara Sprague took some of our good friends at United Way of Citrus County on a tour of the CFB warehouses and operations. Little Nolan accompanied Jen and Jess as they learned about how the CFB provides food assistance to more than 70,000 neighbors in need throughout Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter counties.

Hmmm….judging by the serious look on Nolan’s face, it sure looks like he could be contemplating a future as a philanthropist!

Parents Facing Food Insecurity Are Encouraged to Take Advantage of Additional Summer Assistance

The Community Food Bank (CFB) applauds a new summer nutrition initiative being rolled out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Summer is always a challenge for families facing food insecurity because of the unavailability of free and reduced school breakfast and lunch programs. The CFB works each summer to bridge that gap. This year, the USDA is taking a giant leap in helping struggling families through a new ‘SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Program for Kids” initiative.

According to a press release from the USDA:

“Through the suite of SUN programs, families now have more choices and convenient ways to get summer nutrition support for their children and teens with new SUN Bucks, SUN Meals, and previously launched SUN Meals To-Go. Collectively, these programs continue the work of the Biden-Harris Administration in promoting food and nutrition security.”

SUN Bucks, the new evidence-based Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program, provides a grocery benefit of $120 per eligible school-aged child this summer.

SUN Meals and SUN Meals To-Go are both existing USDA summer programs that serve children 18 years of age and younger.

“The is great news for struggling families,” says Barbara Sprague, CEO/Executive Director of the CFB, “The USDA’s new SUN Bucks program provides families with funds to purchase groceries, the perfect complement to the food they receive at one of our 60+ food distribution agencies. We are extremely thankful and supportive of this new program. It’s a true win-win for our community.”

For more information on the USDA’s Summer Nutrition Program for Kids, please visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer.

The Community Food Bank (CFB) is excited to announce its new sustainable donation initiative, Trees of Life. This program gives donors an opportunity to purchase a fruit or vegetable tree that will be planted on the CFB property and harvested  for distribution to the CFB’s 60+ partner agencies throughout Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter Counties.

“Participating in the Trees of Life program allows donors to make an investment in something that will continue to bear fruit and feed thousands of people for years to come,” explains Barbara Sprague, CEO/Executive Director of the CFB.

The CFB is housed on several acres of land that was donated for the purposes of providing food assistance. The two warehouses on the property serve as a receiving, holding, and shipping hub for the 60+ partner agencies who receive food from the CFB each week. According to Sprague, additional acreage around these warehouses will be  transformed into a Trees of Life garden.

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/plaque.

“This is a great way to promote your company or organization, celebrate a special occasion, remember a loved one who has passed away, memorialize a pet, recognize and accomplishment, honor an injured or fallen hero, and more,” says Sprague.

Trees of Life donations start at $500. Various types of trees can be selected, including lemon, apple, pear, peach, and avocado. Additionally, entire sections of trees may be purchased and four founding Patrons will receive a large tree plaque permanently placed at the front of the garden.

For more information about Trees of Life, please visit https://feed352.org/trees/.

Community Food Bank (CFB) Board Member John Mitten (left) recently spoke at the Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce breakfast about the CFB’s impact and support of citizens in need throughout the county. Currently, the CFB provides Hernando County with two million meals which are distributed through 10 partnering food agencies. The CFB’s expansion into Hernando County and proposed satellite location with a collaborative center of support for ease and accessibility to the local food pantries and local clients was well received.