The Community Food Bank (CFB) raised more than $232,000 thanks to the generosity of individuals and companies who attended the 8th Annual Event held at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida on Wednesday, November 6th. This annual event, founded by CFB Board Members, brings together CFB board members, community leaders and invited friends who share in an evening of fun and philanthropy.
“Poverty continues to grow in Citrus County and it hits the working poor especially hard,” explains Mike Orlito, Board Chair for the CFB. “We are grateful to have the support of so many esteemed individuals and companies who recognize this and are responsive to the needs of our community.”
One-hundred and thirty (130) individuals attended this year’s Black Diamond Event, raising 44% of the CFB’s total annual operating budget.
“We are extremely excited that our Annual Event was a success again this year,” says Barbara Sprague, Executive Director of the CFB. “This is only the beginning, as we continue to plan more fundraising events for the winter and spring to ensure we meet our fundraising goals.”
The CFB has an annual budget of $522,225 which runs from January through December. The next event, Citrus Empty Bowls, will be held on February 8, 2020 at Crystal Harley Davidson. This event brings awareness to the issue of hunger in our community, the 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 4 children in Citrus County who struggle with hunger daily.
About Community Food Bank
The Community Food Bank (CFB) serves more than 17,000 individuals each month by acquiring and distributing nutritious food to 50 pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. Founded in 2013, the organization has provided more than 10 million meals to individuals and households struggling to pay for basic needs. The CFB fulfills its mission thanks to the generous support of private donors, corporate sponsors, United Way of Citrus County, Black Diamond Foundation, Inc., Fairman Foundation, Accessibility Services, Inc., TD Charitable Foundation, Walmart Foundation, Publix Supermarket Charities, Helen Bell Foundation, U.S. Family Foundation, Inc. and Crystal Motor Car Co. & Employees. The CFB is a partner of Feeding Tampa Bay. For more information, visit https://feed352.org/.