Fill the Trucks Food Initiative Sets Lofty Goal to Fight Hunger

Community Food Bank (CFB) Partners with Jenkins CDJR of Homosassa to Secure Food Donations

Fill the Trucks

The Community Food Bank (CFB) and Jenkins Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram (CDJR) of Homosassa are partnering on an initiative to fill showroom trucks full of food to help fight food insecurity throughout the Nature Coast. The public can stop by Jenkins CDJR of Homosassa located at 1005 S. Suncoast Blvd. anytime between now and the end of the month to drop off a food donation. The goal is to be able to provide hundreds of pounds of food to help feed school-aged children during spring break.

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Many children throughout the community rely on free or reduced school lunches, which are not available on weekends and during times when school is not in session. According to Barbara Sprague, Executive Director and CEO of the CFB, the agency is specifically seeking shelf stable items, particularly food appealing to kids as spring break approaches, including:

  • Cereal
  • Granola bars
  • Canned foods and pastas (i.e., ravioli)
  • Peanut butter
  • Jelly
  • Soup
  • Crackers

Citrus 95.3 is also a sponsor of the event and will be broadcasting live from Jenkins CDJR on Friday, February 24th from 12:00 noon – 2:00pm. Anyone who comes out an makes a donation on that day can enjoy a hamburger cookout and be entered in a drawing to win free oil changes for one year, a tank of gasoline, vehicle detailing, local restaurant gift certificates, and more.

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All of the food donated will be distributed by the CFB to their 60+ partner agencies who collectively feed more than 70,000 individuals in need each month.

“Food insecurity is a major problem throughout our area,” explains Sprague. “For some, it’s about not having any food. For others, it’s about not having the means to afford the right kinds of food to keep their families healthy. The food we provide assists all individuals in need, including those who are homeless, senior citizens on a fixed income, and people who are employed but still not able to make ends meet, especially as the cost of food continues to rise.”

Recharging Lives

Grant from Duke Energy Allows CFB to Participate in Exciting Pilot Program

Community Food Bank (CFB) Executive Director and CEO Barbara Sprague and Daystar Live Center Social Services Director Steve Scarallo with one of three cellular charging stations being piloted at local pantries and shelters thanks to a grant the CFB received from Duke Energy.

The Community Food Bank (CFB) is excited about being able to provide mobile phone charging stations throughout the community. They are installing the first of many they hope to be able to provide thanks to a grant partnership with Duke Energy. In an innovative partnership, CFB and Duke Energy have teamed up to offer these safe, accessible charging stations to help ensure individuals in need can connect with family, friends, and resources to help elevate their situations.

According to Barbara Sprague, CFB Executive Director and CEO, the agency is placing charging stations at various pantry locations throughout Citrus and Hernando Counties including Daystar Life Center’s temporary location at 9020 W. Atlas Drive in Homosassa and the Citrus Cold Weather Shelter at 5113 S. Suncoast Blvd in Homosassa.

“Individuals in need can acquire free mobile phones and minutes through a variety of social service programs,” explains Sprague. “The problem is they have no place to charge these devices, which are often used to help them keep in touch with family, friends, resources, and even their workplaces, as there are many homeless individuals who hold down jobs.”

Sprague says that individuals who are homeless often times must trespass on private property to find charging outlets.

“Sometimes a business or individual will welcome them and give them permission to charge their mobile phone, but that is a rare exception,” says Sprague. “The new charging stations we are placing at safe places throughout the community will make access to charging their devices more accessible, easier, and better guided.”

According to Sprague, the charging stations will also give staff at local food pantries and homeless shelters the opportunity to assist individuals with navigating resources and even encourage clients to reach out to family and friends in efforts to help them get stabilized.

“We often take for granted just how much we depend on our mobile phones,” concludes Sprague, “For individuals in need, these devices are a lifeline to resources, job opportunities, and the connection to family and friends they need to help them get back on their feet.”

2022 Hunger Heroes

The Community Food Bank wants to thank all of our Hunger Heroes who donated their time and money to help feed our neighbors in need.

Thanks to your support, we made a significant impact and fed more than 70,000 each month through our partner agencies!

Special thank you to our top donors of 2022:

  • Black Diamond Foundation Inc.
  • Steve & Jewel Lamb
  • Mark & Dreama Waldrop
  • Accessibility Services, Inc.
  • Publix Supermarket Charities Inc.
  • Crystal Automotive Group – Citrus
  • Robert & Nancy Dion
  • Crystal Automotive Group – Hernando
  • Dr. Bob’s Compassion Clinic
  • Melvin and Harriet Naser Charitable Trust
  • Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church
  • Duane & Barbara Dueker
  • Aimee VanAlstyne
  • William M. and Mary M. Lyons Charitable Fund
  • Steve & Nancy Ponticos
  • Ed & Marte Gruber
  • Foster & Stephanie Lamm
  • Regions
  • Brad & Lucy Etheredge
  • Dennis & Christel Ryan
  • John Williams
  • Barbara Bullock
  • Wanda Jennings
  • Mike Orlito & Kim Devane
  • Mike & Naomi Prendergast
  • Michael & Carol Savitske
  • Steven & Lisa Hilsdon
  • Sarah & Gary Willoughby
  • Frank Kenny
  • Harold & Mary Ann Machonkin
  • Kent Rinker
  • Rotary Club of Crystal River Foundation
  • Arthur B. Fairman Charitable Trust
  • Brenda Spillios
  • Crystal Auto Employees Gen-Citrus
  • James & Nancy Forbes
  • Michael & Karen Tringali
  • Steve & Bonnie Teska
  • Alex & Amanda Dickert

Grant Helps Community Food Bank to Keep On Truckin’

Citrus County Community Charitable Foundation Provides Funds to Purchase Refrigerated Food Transportation and Delivery Truck

Grant Helps Community Food Bank to Keep On Truckin’

The Community Food Bank (CFB) continues to expand, providing food and supplies to 60+ partner agencies that offer services to individuals and families throughout our area. The increase in the demand for food assistance has more than doubled over the past three years. CFB partnering agencies served approximately 30,000 individuals in need per month in 2019. That number sharply increased to 70,000 per month in 2022.

Barbara Sprague, CFB Executive Director and CEO, is grateful to all of the corporate and individual donors who continue to step up to the plate to meet the continually increasing demand. One organization that has been supporting the CFB annually for several years is the Citrus County Community Charitable Foundation (CCCCF). This past year, the organization donated $36,704.50 to the CFB to purchase and refurbish a 2016 Hino 22’ refrigerated box truck.

According to Sprague, the CFB was in desperate need of another refrigerated truck and the CCCCF was happy to oblige through a Special Category Grant.

“This truck is on the road and helping us secure more than 60,000 additional meals each week,” explains Sprague. “Because it’s a refrigerated truck, we are able to help bolster nutritional levels by using it to acquire and distribute fresh produce and lean proteins to our agency partners.”

The addition of this new refrigerated box truck increases the CFB fleet to a total of four trucks and a van.

Fight Hunger As You Shop 

Bloomin’ 4 Good: Community Food Bank Selected to Benefit from Winn-Dixie Floral Program

The Community Food Bank (CFB) has been selected to receive $1 from every $2.99  Community Bag sold during the month of December 2022 at: 

  • Winn-Dixie 1651 Southeast Highway 19 
    Crystal River  

The CFB has also been selected to receive $1 from every Bloomin’ 4 Good bouquet sold during the month of January 2023 at: 

  • Winn-Dixie 333 Highland Boulevard 
    Inverness 
  • Winn-Dixie 1202 West Main Street 
    Inverness 

How Your Help Helps

Your donation to the Community Food Bank (CFB) truly makes a difference!

Listen to CFB CEO & Executive Director Barbara Sprague talk with Bo Hamilton of Fox 96.7.

Donate Now

Giving Tuesday

November 29, 2022

Please consider helping feed your neighbors in need!

Every $10 = 100 Meals

Become a Hunger Hero and make a difference.

Holiday Helpings!

Holiday Helpings!

Let’s give a shout out to the Citrus County Speedway. Motorsports Announcer Tony Modica presented Community Food Bank CEO / Executive Director Barbara Sprague with a $1157.00 cash gift AND 289 pounds of food to assist with food relief efforts and holiday meals.

THANK YOU!

No One Goes Hungry!

No One Goes Hungry!

Community Food Bank Seeks Food/Donations to Meet Needs

Through the Holidays

The 60+ agencies that rely on the Community Food Bank (CFB) to provide food for the individuals and families they serve are struggling. The increase in the need for food assistance over the past few years is taking its toll on resources that are already taxed to the max.

Barbara Sprague, CFB Executive Director and CEO, is pulling out all the stops to make sure no one goes hungry this holiday season. In addition to the agency’s standard fundraising efforts, Sprague is challenging the community to be part of the CFB’s movement to make an impact by offering an in-kind or monetary donation to help our neighbors in need.

“Living with hunger is challenging on many levels, and it’s especially difficult during the holidays,” explains Sprague. “We want to do everything we can to ensure everyone in our community can enjoy nourishing meals on Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukkah, and to begin the new year.”

One meal equates to one pound of food. The CFB needs to collect or purchase through monetary donations at least 210,000 pounds of food for holiday meals to feed the 70,000+ individuals in our area who seek food assistance each month. Individuals and businesses wanting to be part of the movement can make a monetary donation to the CFB, as every $10 provides 100 meals. The agency is also accepting the following food donations:

  • Canned Foods
  • Dry Pasta, Rice, Beans
  • Boxes of Cereal
  • Peanut Butter and Jellies
  • Pet Food
  • Personal Hygiene Products
  • Cleaning Products

Donated items can be dropped off at the following locations until Monday, December 19th:

Community Food Bank
5259 W. Cardinal Street
Homosassa

Crystal Harley-Davidson
1147 South Suncoast Blvd
Homosassa

Habitat for Humanity Re-Store
7800 W Gulf to Lake Hwy
Crystal River

Habitat for Humanity Re-Store
3703 E Gulf to Lake Hwy
Inverness

“Every little bit helps,” says Sprague. “Picking up a few extra cans of food every time you go to the grocery store can make a tremendous impact. It may be the determining factor in whether or not someone is able to eat a meal or not.”

Publix Donates $15,000

Publix

Special thank you to Publix Super Markets Charities for their generous $15,000 donation to the Community Food Bank in support of hunger relief programs. Publix Charities has been and continues to be a generous supporter and partner in our fight to end hunger and nourish hope throughout the Nature Coast.