The Villages Evening Rotary Club organized a four-week food drive in The Villages recreation centers and onsite collections at two Winn-Dixie locations.
President Kimm Grassi from the Village of Largo highlighted the generosity of Villagers and others, despite the rising cost of groceries.
“This resulted in a collection of approximately 5,200 pounds of food and also $2,200 in cash donations,” said Grassi.
The collected food was then distributed to LovExtension Homebound Pantry and Hope Lake Weir Campus Food Pantry. Additionally, donated funds will be allocated later this month to more pantries.
The onsite food drive took place at Belleview Winn-Dixie and Leesburg Winn-Dixie stores on a single day.
Rotarians Jim and Sue Bodenner of the Village of Tierra del Sol South expressed gratitude to Winn-Dixie and its shoppers for their generous donations. They emphasized that the shoppers repeatedly stated they understood the need and were happy to help.
The Evening Rotary Club Foundation donates funds each month to St. Theresa’s Social Services in Belleview. Director Michael Travaglini explained that “the Rotarians provide financial assistance and purchase items that help the homeless meet their basic needs.” Hope Lake Weir Nutrition Center also participated in the collection. Both pantries assist people in Marion County with food needs.
The Rotarians volunteer with many members of Hope Lutheran Church to help with Hope Lake Weir Campus food distribution on Thursdays.
“The Evening Rotary is a great help to our center with food and funds, but also with connecting us to other resources to help our clients,” said Director Debbie Schuettler.
According to Grassi, Community of Gratitude Pantry, Hope Lake Weir Campus Pantry and LovExtension Homebound Pantry each received $1000 from the club’s foundation.
The Rotarians also delivered 30 Thanksgiving Day Food Bags to East Marion Elementary School. All 600-plus students live in the Ocala National Forest, and over 100 lack a permanent address. The items in the bags were chosen to complement a canned ham dinner and also provide a breakfast and one more meal for families of five to seven people.
Food insecurity has been a major focus for the Evening Rotarians for the past six years. They have provided assistance to the Emergency Pantry at East Marion Elementary School and food pantries in Marion and Lake counties.
For more information about the Evening Rotary Club of The Villages, email them at [email protected] or visit their website at www.rotaryvillagesevening.com.