Article and Photos by Linda Charlton
Calling all Corona Angels – The Faith Neighborhood Center in Groveland has a hard row to hoe these days, but some corona angels are helping ease the way. Still, more help is needed at the popular food bank.
Center executive director Patricia Kry reports that it was back in mid-February that the organization started to notice an uptick in need. That’s around the time that so many conventions were being canceled in the Orlando area. At that point, the Center was serving about 1,450 families a month, with gradually increasing numbers. Now they are serving around 1,550 families a month, and signing up typically 10-12 families a day, according to Kry. And while the lateral spread is notable, it is the depth of need that is making a big difference.
“Those families (pre-pandemic) were getting about eight days worth of food,” Kry says. “Before we were set up to fill a gap. Now for many, we’re their only source of food. We were never set up for that. I’ve not seen the desperation before. People are scared about how they’re going to feed their families.”
When the local economy started to tank, the Center’s private donations soon followed. However, Kry does say that the donation situation has “stabilized.”
A mini-wave of donations of extra food and money — including a few $1,200 PayPal deposits — started about two weeks ago, when many residents were receiving their corona relief direct deposits. The recent donations HAVE NOT made up for the Center’s overall drop in donations, but they do help. Charlene Forth of Clermont is one of those recent “corona angels.”
Upon receiving her relief check on Saturday, Forth decided to do something good with it. She challenges others to do the same. She and husband Charles Forth have donated to the Center in the past, so the Center was Forth’s first thought when deciding where to give. She checked with Kry, then went shopping. She delivered 130 pounds of food and diapers on Monday, then returned to the Center with more diapers.
“I’ve never seen the shelves look so empty,” Forth observed. “That was very sad. There are people who haven’t had a paycheck for eight weeks. If you’re in trouble and don’t have a paycheck, please take care of yourself. But if you’re doing OK or good, I challenge you to take $200 off of that $1,200 check. Look how far it will go. It’s s small challenge that can lead to big things.”
For those who may wish to donate goods to the Center, the shopping list, supplied by Kry, is canned vegetables, soups, mac and cheese, canned meats, and diapers in the larger sizes (sizes 4 – 6).
Faith Neighborhood Center is located at 14727 Timber Village Road in Groveland. Hours are 9 to noon, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 1 pm to 4 pm on Thursday. To receive services families must first physically go to the center and apply. Kry says the process is quick and easy. The telephone number there is (352) 429 -1200. The Web site is www.faithneighborhoodcenter.com
