Catch Us on the Radio!
Barbara Sprague interview with Heather Jennings
Catch Us on the Radio!
Barbara Sprague interview with Bo Hamilton:
Barbara Sprague interview with Kelly Wright:
Special thank you to Katya Guillaume and Bay News 9 for helping bring awareness of food insecurity throughout our area and getting the word out about our Empty Bowls event April 11-17th!
4th Annual Empty Bowls Event Benefits the Community Food Bank
This year’s Citrus Empty Bowls event to benefit the Community Food Bank brings together local restaurants and businesses who are joining forces to help fight hunger. During the week of April 11th – 17th, select restaurants will donate a portion of their sales when dining in or taking out. A local barber shop has even joined in on the fun and is donating a portion of the proceeds from each haircut to the CFB.
What:
When:
Where:
Empty Bowls
April 2nd (Tim’s Barber Room)
April 11th – 17th (Local Restaurants)
Visit https://www.feed352.org/ for a full list of participating restaurants and businesses and to view applicable specials.
To date, Amy’s on the Ave., Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters, Katch 22, Manatee Maven, Wallace’s Greenhouse Bistro and Tim’s Barber Room have all committed and are offering specials at various times throughout the campaign. The website will be updated as additional businesses commit their participation.
“We had to re-create the Empty Bowls event this year because of COVID-19,” explains Barbara Sprague, Executive Director of the CFB. “We are so grateful to the local businesses who have stepped up to the plate to make this happen. We could not do this without their support.”
“We are encouraging folks to consider one of the sponsoring restaurants when dining in or ordering takeout during the week of April 11th – 17th,” says Mike Orlito, Board Chair of the CFB. “If you go out to lunch or dinner a few times a week, you can make a big impact by patronizing these restaurants.”
According to Sprague, the CFB hopes to raise $10,000 through the Empty Bowls campaign.
“It’s an ambitious goal, especially since we are not having an ‘in-person’ event, but I know how dedicated and passionate our community is about helping their neighbors in need ,” says Sprague.
Empty Bowls event sponsors include Lowman Law Firm, Crystal Automotive, Dr. Bob’s Compassion Clinic, Avant-Garde Consulting and Professional Services, Citrus 95.3/Fox 96.7/Naturecoast Country, Drummond Bank, Kanes/Lollygaggers/The Loft, Kim DeVane and Mike Orlito, JoAnne and Zell Boggus, Armantes, Breakfast Station and Saltwater Cowboy’s Bar & Grill
The Community Food Bank (CFB) was awarded the Commander’s Award of Excellence by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Department Emergency Operations Division:
“With special thanks and appreciation I hereby recognize the Community Food Bank. You have been a trusted partner. During the COVID 19 Pandemic, you graciously accepted the responsibility as the food and personal care items repository and distribution center for Citrus County. Your capability and capacity supported operations. Daily you provide hope and sustenance to those in need. Thanks again and best wishes.” – Chris Evan, Division Commander
Thank you for this esteemed recognition. We are honored to have the opportunity to work with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Department Emergency Operations Division and look forward to our continued partnership!
We are honored to have been named the Chronicle Non-Profit of the Year by the Citrus County Chronicle. The year 2020 was one of the most challenging in recent history. The demand for food assistance grew significantly – but so did the support from our community as corporations, businesses and individuals rolled up their sleeves to help by donating and/or volunteering.
We thank all of the corporate partners, donors, volunteers and friends who worked alongside us to help us help those in need.
We also want to give a special shout out to Nancy Kennedy at the Citrus County Chronicle. She is an outstanding journalist who does an amazing job of helping the community better understand what we do and how we do it.
And, finally, thank you to the Citrus County Chronicle for naming us your Non-Profit of the Year. We are truly humbled by this honor. No doubt, 2020 was a challenging year. Regardless of what the future holds for 2021, we will work just as hard to continue fulfilling our mission of ending hunger and nourishing hope!
Read More on Citrus County Chronicle:
Qualified Charitable Distribution Can Be a Tax-Efficient Way to Donate Money to Charity
The Community Food Bank (CFB) is honored when an individual or business chooses to make a donation to support our organization. All donations to the CFB are tax deductible; however, some forms of donating may carry added benefits. One type of donation to consider, especially for end-of-year giving, is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). A charitable organization can also receive investments as gifts.
“Our donors are our lifeline. Without the generosity of the community, we would never have been able to keep our pantries full during the unique challenges of this past year,” explains Barbara Sprague, Executive Director of the CFB. “QCD is just one way individuals can make a difference in their community while enjoying an added tax benefit. It’s a win-win for everyone!”
If you still need to make your required minimum distribution (RMD), contact your tax professional to see if a QCD can be put toward the year-end total required to avoid an excise tax penalty. To make a QCD or to gift another type of investment to the CFB, please contact either Barbara Sprague – executivedirector@cfbocc.org or your investment adviser.
The Community Food Bank (CFB) was presented with a $10,000 gift made on behalf of Deborah MacArthur Anderson, Chairman and President of the corporate board for SHERLOQ® Group. According to Barbara Sprague, Executive Director of the CFB, the donation will provide 100,000 meals to individuals and families throughout Citrus County who are facing hunger.
“This year has been a tough year, and the holidays are extremely difficult for many folks throughout our community,” says Sprague. “We are grateful for companies such as SHERLOQ® Group whose generous gift allows us to provide much needed food and resources to individuals in need.”
and Barbara Sprague, executive director of CFB.
The Community Food Bank (CFB) would like to extend a special thank you to the United Way of Citrus County. The agency donated $5000 to the CFB, which was used to provide an additional 7353 Thanksgiving meals to families in need throughout our local community. We value and appreciate your continued support!
Citrus Memorial Hospital donated 68 turkeys and 78 hams to help the Community Food Bank (CFB) feed families in need this Thanksgiving. The CEO of Citrus Memorial Hospital, Ginger Carroll, Director of Pharmacy Services, Craig McCurdy, and members of the hospital food service staff personally made the delivery.
Special thank you to the staff and employees at Citrus Memorial Hospital who make a donation to the CFB each Thanksgiving to help ensure the needs of our local community are met. We could not do what we do without your support!