The CFB Board of Directors has decided to postpone the Drive Fore Food tournament due to the Hurricane Idalia relief efforts we and many of our partner businesses and supporters are actively engaged in to assist those who have been affected. We know your prayers and thoughts are with us and our community as we work through the disaster. Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to swinging some clubs with you in the Spring!
The Community Food Bank (CFB), in cooperation with Feeding Tampa Bay and FEMA, handed out MRE’s (meals ready to eat) and water yesterday to residents from Homosassa to Crystal River who live in flood zones and were affected by Hurricane Idalia.
The CFB is also stocking all of the 60+ food pantries, ministries, shelters, and soup kitchens they serve throughout Hernando, Sumter, and Citrus counties with additional supplies for residents to access. The CFB will continue to distribute MRE’s and meal boxes to partnering agencies in Citrus County.
“We are seeing unimaginable damage to homes along the coast and in flood zone areas,” says CFB CEO and Executive Director Barbara Sprague. “Many residents have suffered a total loss of contents of their homes, including kitchen appliances. Some have completely lost their homes.”
The CFB needs additional donations as they continue to meet the needs of the community.
“We provide meals to more than 70,000 individuals each month as part of our everyday operations,” explains Sprague. “That number is steadily rising as we mobilize to serve individuals and families who are just now assessing their devastating losses in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia.”
Residents who need Hurricane Idalia relief can call 211 or visit click here to find the nearest food pantry.
Want to help with Hurricane Relief efforts? Please click here to donate.
Carrying a purse or handbag is a natural part of the everyday lives of many women, often becoming an extension of those who own them. Many women have multiple purses in different styles, colors, and sizes to suit every occasion. However, for women who are struggling to make ends meet, a purse is often considered a luxury.
Lauren Lindgren wanted to make sure that all women have an opportunity to gain the self-esteem and security that often comes with carrying a stylish handbag. So, Lindgren organized a purse drive to assist local women who are in transition and/or are homeless and soon donations came in from as far away as New York and California. She worked for months to collect handbags, toiletries, and personal care items that she and a group of friends packed into the handbags. They were then donated to the Community Food Bank for distribution to our partnering agencies who serve women in need.
“Collaboration between friends to benefit worthy causes can make a tremendous impact,” says Lindgren. “We all had fun with this project, and it was more meaningful for us knowing that what we were doing will put smiles on the faces of so many women who are struggling and facing tough times.”
“Sometimes the smallest gestures can make the greatest impact in touching the lives of those who are struggling,” says Barbara Sprague, CEO and Executive Director of the CFB. “We applaud Lauren for this effort and reps from our agency partners are excited to see the smiles on the faces of the ladies who receive these beautiful handbags!”
Special thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate our 10 years of service. An awesome time was had by all!! If you missed it, no worries. Here are some pics from the celebration:
The event was extra special thanks to our sponsors!
Thank you to the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce for conducting our ribbon cutting ceremony and presenting us with a check for $500!
We look forward to continuing to serve our wonderful community for the next 10 years!
The Community Food Bank (CFB) is excited to celebrate 10 years of providing food assistance throughout our community. An open house and celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony courtesy of the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce will be held to commemorate the CFB’s work over the past 10 years while looking ahead to the future:
Community Food Bank
10-Year Anniversary Open House and Ribbon Cutting
Tuesday, April 18th
4:00pm
(Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – 4:30pm)
CFB CEO and Executive Director Barbara Sprague will introduce the community to the agency’s Ending Hunger Campus, which includes vehicles, refrigerated trucks, forklifts, and two 7,000 sq. ft. warehouses equipped to receive, sort, store, and distribute food to the CFB’s 60+ partnering agencies. Attendees will have the opportunity to see first-hand the level of impact being rallied to meet the changing needs of those in crisis throughout our community.
“We share the blessing of this facility to provide for those facing hunger, and our impact with everyone who enjoys the Nature Coast and all of its sparkle,” says Sprague.
Since opening in 2013, the CFB has distributed 30,000,000 pounds of food (more than 30 million meals) throughout Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter counties. During its first year of operation, the CFB provided 953,008 meals to approximately 10,000 people. Today, the CFB feeds more than 70,000 people each month through 60+ partner agencies.
“We’ve continued to grow and respond to the need,” explains Sprague. “We are so fortunate to live in a community with individuals and businesses who are always willing to step up to the plate to help their neighbors in need.”
John Marmish, Johnny Cash, Debbie Lattin, JoAnne Boggus, Wayne Dupler, Steve Ponticos, and Phil Scarpelli were the founding members who served on the original Board of Directors in 2013. Ponticos (current BOD President), Marmish, and Boggus continue to serve on the CFB’s Board of Directors today, while Cash is a member of the CFB Advisory Board.
As the CFB looks into the future, their vision is quite clear.
“We want to continue to have the capacity and ability to meet the food insecurity needs of our community,” says Sprague. “As a community partner, we will work to educate, inspire, and impact those in need by supporting the resources, efforts, and programs by elevating individuals and families from poverty and homelessness to becoming active and productive members of our area workforce and local communities.”
Special thank you to Merrill Lynch Wealth Management / Barlow – Weston Group for contributing a generous donation of $5000 to fight hunger. This equates to another 50,000 nutritious, wholesome meals distributed though our 60+ partner agencies, ministries, food pantries, senior centers, and community service organizations throughout Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter Counties.
Thanks for being a Hunger Hero. We couldn’t do what we do without you!
We’re so thankful to the Citrus County Hospital Board for awarding the Community Food Bank (CFB) with a grant for $30,000 to help fight hunger. The Trustees understand how valuable good and consistent nutrition is to our most at risk residents and stepped up to the plate to help us ensure no one in our community goes hungry.
Food insecurity is on the rise and has many faces. Among those seeking food assistance are senior citizens on fixed incomes, working families, and individuals who struggle to make ends meet, especially as the price of food continues to rise. Thanks to this grant, the CFB will be able to provide 300,000 meals which will be distributed through our 60+ partnering agencies.
Thank you for your generosity and continued support to help us end hunger and nourish hope!
We are super excited to have been selected by the Walmart Community Grants Team and Walmart store #1104 located at 2461 E Gulf to Lake Hwy in Inverness to receive a $2000 grant designated to fight hunger throughout our community. We will use these funds to provide 20,000 meals which will be distributed through our 60+ partner agencies. Special thank you to Walmart for supporting our efforts and for always making a difference in their local communities!
The Black Diamond Foundation recently donated $50,000 to the Community Food Bank (CFB) to assist in their critical food relief efforts throughout the area. This donation equates to 500,000 meals. In response, the CFB is issuing a “Million Meals Challenge” to raise an additional $50,000 so the agency can provide their 60+ partner agencies with critical food and supplies that allow them to continue feeding more than 70,000 people in need each month.
“The diversity of people needing food assistance is staggering,” explains Barbara Sprague, Executive Director of the CFB. “The majority of people served by our partnering agencies are working individuals who are unable to make ends meet as the cost of food and living in general continues to rise.”
The Black Diamond Foundation (BDF) has been an ongoing, loyal supporter of the CFB’s fight against hunger. The foundation continues to step up when the CFB identifies a critical need.
“In addition to making donations that help us to provide food, the BDF has helped us purchase transport vehicles which are essential for food pickups and transport,” says Sprague. “We couldn’t do what we do without the generosity of the philanthropic men and women of the BDF who continue to come along side of us to support our mission to end hunger and nourish hope throughout our community.”
Want to be part of the “Million Meals Challenge?” There are three easy ways to donate:
“Every donation makes a difference,” says Sprague. “We hope to achieve our matching challenge goal of $50,000 by April 30th.”
Special thank you to our good friend and supporter, Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast, who dropped by the Fox 96.7 studios to present a check in the amount of $200 from an anonymous donor in honor of the late Detective James “Jimmy” West. This donation will provide 2000 meals to feed individuals in need throughout our area!
Would you also like to make a donation in honor of someone special? Remember those who have passed or commemorate a loved one on their birthday, anniversary, etc. with a donation in their name. When making your donation, just add a note in the “Comments” section to identify who you are recognizing and we will send a special “Thank You” card for the contribution in their name.