By Marty Proctor, South Lake Tablet
It is difficult to go through a day and not hear of the struggle that food pantries are dealing with every day. The Neighborhood Center of South Lake (formerly known as The FAITH Neighborhood Center) continues to serve an ever-increasing number of clients. How is our local food pantry keeping ahead and providing quality food to South Lake County?
The South Lake Tablet spoke directly with Trish Kry, Chief Executive Officer to find out.
“There is a perception out there and a panic among the clients that if they are not near the front of the line, they’re not going to be able to get enough food from us. However, we have not turned any client away because we did not have enough food,” Trish started. “We are stable, but we do need donations so we can continue our mission of providing a pathway to develop, empower, and educate our neighbors with food insecurity. Our cash donations help to purchase discounted product through partners such as Second Harvest Food Bank. On occasion, we have to buy through retail channels as well. Of course, we are very fortunate to have an incredible group of volunteers who assist with so many tasks that deliver our mission to those in need. Equipment, like the refrigerated lift gate truck, also allows for pickup of fresh meat, dairy, and produce donated by local retail partners including Publix, BJs, Walmart, Winn Dixie, and Target. It takes a neighborhood!”
“Unfortunately, the number of clients is steadily increasing,” Trish shares. “In addition to serving about 400 families each week, we are also helping over 900 children with the Summer Feeding program, too. We received funding for 500 children, but with careful planning and generous donations from our community, we continue to provide all 927 children with the summer feeding boxes.” The summer feeding program provides free meals for school-aged children (4 to 18 years) who would otherwise go without their breakfast and lunch that they at school. Because of the high child poverty rate in the area, every child in Lake County schools qualifies for free breakfast and lunch at school.”
As to The Center in general, Trish shares, “We are in good shape to handle most challenges. We know that the summer is generally more challenging for our families and we ordered much of our product ahead of time to be better prepared. Our large, temperature-controlled warehouse and walk-in cooler and freezers give us the ability to safely store food. Of course, there are spot shortages, right now it is cereal. The cash donations we receive help to purchase these types of needs, but we still struggle to find it and put on our shelves. We have also been able to purchase other staples (pastas, canned goods and meats) that we need through discounted sources and partners like Second Harvest Food Bank. We’ve been able to continue to provide what our clients need. We have not turned any people away due to a lack of food since I started here almost 6 years ago.”
The Center’s remarkable efficiencies are because of the generous commitment of many volunteers! Trish adds, “It takes more than 100 volunteers a month to provide services to our clients. Currently, we are averaging about 60 volunteers per month. We have some very hard-working, dedicated volunteers, but we do need more.”
Volunteering at The Center is an easy and rewarding way to help reduce food insecurity in our neighborhoods. There are a wide variety of tasks that include assisting in the warehouse, greeting clients, gathering and distributing food, clerical and other support activities. Shifts are generally 3 hours and flexible. For more information on volunteering, please contact Scott Dau at 352.429.1200 or email volunteercoordinator@fnclake.org.
The Neighborhood Center is celebrating 50 years of providing food and services for our neighbors in need in South Lake County. “We have learned how to prepare for the uncertain future and started preparing for this challenging time before and during COVID. If something went wrong in the community, if something went awry in the economy, experience told us what we could and should do. We have a plan in place for the what if’s and continue to work on that plan moving forward,” Trish concludes.
For more information on how you can help, please check The Neighborhood Center’s Facebook page and website (fnclake.org). If you would like a tour of The Center or more information on making a donation, please contact Sharon at dev@fnclake.org.
Client operating hours are Tue/Wed/Fri 9-12 AM and Thursday 1-4 PM. The enrollment process is quick and private. New clients receive fresh, healthy food immediately and are warmly welcomed to visit up to twice a month. Se Habla Espanol and a little Creole, too. All are welcome!
