Departments



Articles

Less

Features: LOOK! UP IN THE AIR! IT’S A BIRD; IT’S A PLANE; IT’S BAT 4!
November 19th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: CEDAR KEY CALLING ALL FINE ARTISTS TO DELIGHT AND INSPIRE!
November 19th, 2012

City Documents: Cedar Key Water and Sewer District - Vacancy Notice
November 18th, 2012

Business Section: Cedar Key Pizza is Under New Ownership
November 18th, 2012

Features: Fish of the Week - Triple Tale
November 18th, 2012

School News: Shark Reports -11/14/12
November 15th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Letter To Editor - Veteran`s Day Signs
November 15th, 2012

Law Enforcement News: Levy County Arrest Report 11/13/2012
November 14th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Key Arts Center - December Workshops
November 14th, 2012

Conservation: Students + Festival = Kickoff for America Recycles Day 2012
November 13th, 2012

Events: Tree Lighting and So Much More!
November 13th, 2012

Announcements: Cedar Key Garden Club Christmas Party
November 13th, 2012

Announcements: FIRE CHIEF ROBINSON TRAINING PHOTOS
November 13th, 2012

Features: Trouble in Cedar Key -Display the Flag
November 12th, 2012

Announcements: Levy County Visitors Bureau Hosts VISIT FLORIDA Welcome Center Service Staff in Cedar Key
November 12th, 2012

More

HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS

HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Donna Beach

The Cedar Key Community Food Pantry is launching its annual Holiday fund drive to help provide for the needs of the food insecure in our area, not only during the holidays, but all year long.

The Food Pantry is beginning the eleventh year of operations, and with recent economic woes, has expanded from serving just a few to helping over 40 families, or approximately 100 individuals, per week. Donna Beach, a volunteer who manages the daily operations, describes the clientele as varied. "There are families who have recently lost a job, single parent households whose part-time jobs do not provide enough to feed the family, and a significant number of elderly, trying to stretch a social security check."


The Food Pantry does not supply all that a family needs for the week, but helps bridge the gap that they cannot afford. Some people visit the pantry only once; others may come several times until they are able to provide more for their own needs.

The Food Pantry is supported entirely by donations from individuals, churches, organizations, school groups, clubs and volunteers - a true community effort. Importantly, 100% of all donations stay in the community and are used exclusively for the benefit of people in Cedar Key. All of the operations and management of the Pantry are performed at no cost by volunteers.

Food drives and fund-raising events are important sources of support, and cash donations go a long way. The Pantry receives some surplus supplies from USDA at no cost. Most food, however, is purchased from the Regional Food Bank - the Bread of the Mighty - in Gainesville for an average of $.18 per pound. Clients of the Pantry are given a sheet listing which items they are eligible to receive that week. The Pantry spends about $3.00 per person per week.

Donations throughout the year are sporadic, and at one point this summer, there was less than a two-week margin in the bank account. The hope is that end of the year giving will help provide a more comfortable cushion for the months going forward. If you would like to help, food donations can be brought to the pantry during operating hours on Thursdays from 3:00 - 4:30, or a tax-deductible check can be brought to the Food Pantry, or mailed to P.O. Box 338, Cedar Key, Fl. 32625. Volunteers are always welcome and appreciated!

Click for printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

 

 

© 2013
Cedar Key News

cedarkeynews@gmail.com