Community Food Bank Unveils Holiday Gift Giving Program

Gifts That Give Back Throughout the Year

Holiday Gift Giving Program

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.

CFB Holiday Gift Giving Program options include:

Pick a present that keeps on giving

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/

  • $10 = Food Relief Emergency Delivery
  • $20 = Breakfast for a family for (1) month
  • $30 = Pet food for one (1) month
  • $50 = PBJ Sandwich Special
  • $100 = Holiday Turkey/Ham meal for a family
  • $400 = Family meal for a year
  • $6000 = Pallet jack for distribution efforts to deliver thousands of meals

Trees of Life

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.”

Community Food Bank Receives $20,000 Grant from Suncoast Credit Union to Feed Children Affected by Hunger

$20,000 Grant from Suncoast Credit Union

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.

Community Food Bank Provides Supplies and Assistance to the Homosassa Civic Club, Inc. Hurricane Relief Center

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.

Eastside Elementary

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.

PRIME Hurricane Relief

PRIME Hurricane Relief

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.

Hurricane Helene Response and Recovery

Hurricane Helene Response and Recovery

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.

These Ladies Are On a ROLL!

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!

Big Hearts, Big Check!

Special thanks to Keith Taylor Law Group for their generous $500 donation. This will be matched by the Black Diamond Foundation for a total of $1000! Thank you for helping us feed 10,000 neighbors in need!

Pictured from left to right: Keith Taylor, Stephanie James, Operations Manager for the Community Food Bank, and Abby Taylor.

Double Your Donation!

Black Diamond Foundation Will Match Your Donation Dollar for Dollar

If you’ve been contemplating donating to the Community Food Bank (CFB), now is the perfect time to do so.

The Black Diamond Foundation will MATCH every donation from now until August 31st. So, when you donate $50, you are making $100 worth of IMPACT to help feed families throughout the Nature Coast.

This match also extends to funds raised through the HundredX survey campaign. Participating costs nothing, and you can raise up to $120 ($240 thanks to the Black Diamond match) for the CFB just by completing a few surveys.

Your Opinion Can Feed 1200!

Every $10 donated equals 100 meals – which is then doubled because of the Black Diamond Foundation Match – so if you complete the maximum number of surveys, you will feed 2400 just by giving your opinion!

It’s fun, easy, and takes less time than completing a level on your favorite mobile game app.

Please consider donating or participating in the HundredX survey campaign to feed families in need today!

Your Opinion Can Feed 1200!

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 15th – August 13th. 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.