Archive for category: News

Mike Wilcox became passionate about helping others while volunteering with his children at Citrus County Blessings.  He saw the difference the agency made and wanted to pursue an opportunity where he could make an impact full-time.

Today, Mike handles all of the everyday office duties at the Community Food Bank (CFB), from answering the phone and greeting guests to managing the databases and coordinating volunteers. He also earned his ServSafe Manager certification. Mike especially enjoys mentoring and fostering the spirit of volunteerism in the teenagers and young adults who work after school and during the summer in the CFB warehouse.

When not working at the CFB, Mike enjoys volunteering at organizations throughout the community. He also handles homeschooling duties for his four children.  He has one dog, four lizards and one fish.

Local homeschoolers are tapping into their creativity to help support the Community Food Bank (CFB).  The students are creating stylish Faith Over Fear themed t-shirts and offering them at the Howard’s Flea Market in Homosassa for a $15.00 donation which goes directly to the CFB.

Christine Milby is the founder and organizer of this effort, which is receiving much support and accolades from the community.

“Every Faith Over Fear t-shirt is made by a Citrus County homeschool student,” explains Milby. “Businesses provide funds for the t-shirts in exchange for having their company advertised on the back of the tees.” 

Daniel and Tuesday Northsea own and operate Dirty Ape Ink in Crystal River. Dan spends time teaching area homeschool students the art and business of screen printing.

“Both Dan and Tuesday are thrilled to be able to be a part of our fundraiser and help give back to their community.” Says Milby.

When the COVID-19 crisis struck, Milby was inspired to find ways she and her family could help her local community.

“When we discovered how many food insecure families we had right here in Citrus County, we wanted to do something to help,” says Milby. “Our family recently began volunteering at the CFB. It has been an eye opening, humbling and wonderful experience.”

Barbara Sprague, Executive Director of the CFB, says the artistry, imagination and philanthropic spirit of the students is both impressive and inspiring.

“These students are taking time that could be spent on other activities to create, manufacture, market and sell these t-shirts to benefit those in need,” explains Sprague.  “We are so grateful for their hard work and effort. The Faith Over Fear movement has been so inspirational during the COVID-19 crisis and to those facing food insecurity. They’ve set a positive example for others to follow!”

Howard’s Flea Market donates space to help the students with this effort.  If you would like a Faith Over Fear t-shirt, please visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/citrusfaithoverfear to find out when and where they will be available.

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The Pregnancy and Family Life Center (PFLC) picks up food, personal care and hygiene items from the Community Food Bank (CFB) twice a week to help stock their pantry. The organization has been providing food, clothing, personal care items, counseling, and medical services to expectant mothers and families throughout Citrus County since 1983 and has served a record number of people so far this year:

January 2020 – July 2020

629 Families Served

1627 Individuals Served  

28,805 Pounds of Food Distributed

15,000 Diapers Distributed

403 Packages of Baby Wipes Distributed

328 Bottles of Baby Wash Distributed

113 Cans of Baby Formula Distributed

“The partnership between the Pregnancy and Family Life Center and the Community Food Bank allows us to purchase much needed food for our families,” explains Stephanie Bell, RN, executive director of the PFLC. “We serve at risk children and families with a large majority of them being pregnant mothers. The food we provide takes some of the stress off our moms and allows them to breathe a little. We have been able to offer a large variety of food items consistently. We could not afford to do what we do without the generosity of the CFB and their caring and dedicated staff.”

Bell especially appreciates the fact that the team at the CFB is always accommodating and makes an effort to locate items she needs.

“All I have to do is ask and they find it for us,” says Bell. “We have started putting together meal kits each month incorporating items we have in our food pantry for our mothers and when I need extra food they help out. Candice (CFB Warehouse Assistant) always makes a point to save diapers and formula for us because she knows we have clients that are in need.”

According to Bell, individuals and families served by the PFLC are extremely grateful for the services they receive. A client who asked to remain anonymous wrote:

“The Pregnancy and Family Life Center is important to my family because they provide many helpful resources and information. They have benefitted myself and family as far as helpful videos so parents can learn new things. Also, the food and clothing is very helpful to our family. With everything going on with the virus and not working as much we have help with making sure our family has food.”

Barbara Sprague, executive director of the CFB, says that knowing she and her staff are making such an impact is truly a blessing.

“We do what we do because we are passionate about making sure no one in our community goes without,” explains Sprague. “We are selective about the organizations we partner with because we must be good stewards of the donations we receive.  Stephanie and her team at PFLC do exemplary work and provide much needed services to individuals and families in need.”

“The CFB is an organization that we rely heavily upon and they have never let us down,” says Bell. “When there’s a crisis or hurricane they’ve made sure our needs and those of our clients have been met. In addition to food, they have provided items such as diapers, makeup, toiletries, children’s books, clothing etc. All of this is passed down to our families. They are a blessing on so many levels!”

If you would like to learn more about PFLC and all of the important resources and services they provide, please visit www.pflcenter.org. 

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Candice Lathem is a warehouse specialist and agency liaison, handling everything from sorting food and loading pallets to ensuring each agency has the supplies their clients need. Candice is known around the Community Food Bank (CFB) for always greeting everyone with a big smile!

Candice pursued working for the CFB because she wanted to make a difference in the community.  She enjoys meeting people and is inspired when she comes across those who have the same heart and passion for helping others.

When Candice is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her children and hanging out near any body of water.  In fact, she loves the water so much that she has mastered the art of blowing bubbles through her ears while under water.  Hmm…maybe she missed her calling as a mermaid?

Candice loves animals and has a 12-year-old dog named Katie, three black kittens (Chewy, Pepper and Sassy Princess), a Halloween cat (Tinkerbelle) and a fat cat (Oscar the Grouch).