by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office hosted a food drive drop-off for Second Harvest Food Bank on Friday, December 12th. Together with WESH-2 News and CW18, the food drive, held at the Sheriff’s Office-South District office, 15855 State Road-50, Clermont, was coordinated to help families with food insecurities throughout the holiday season.
The annual food drive is supported by area businesses, individuals, and civic organizations throughout the South Lake community. Two big donors of the day included a second-grade class from Minneola Charter School. The students in the class organized a drive within the school and with their friends and families as well. While one school bus brought all the students and chaperones to the drop off location, a second bus brought numerous boxes and bags of canned goods and non-perishable food items. Met by dozens of volunteers and deputies to help offload the food, the cheerful second grade helpers were all smiles as they handed over the food that they worked so hard to collect.
A second big donor of the day was Progressive Plumbing Services of Clermont. Progressive Plumbing, along with employee donors, purchased six palettes of food and family needs such as diapers, fruit, bread and other staples to brighten the holidays for struggling families in the area.
Stephanie Palacios, Director of Advocacy & Government Relations for Second Harvest Food Bank states that the efforts by Sheriff Peyton Grinnell and his sheriff’s office team are appreciated. “We would like to give a special shout out to the sheriff for hosting us here and for providing us with so much support again this year,” says Palacios.
With a Mission Statement “To create hope and nourish lives through a powerful hunger relief network, while multiplying the generosity of a caring community,” the Second Harvest Food Bank is a Central Florida nonprofit organization that collects, stores and distributes donated food to more than 750 feeding partners in seven Central Florida counties, including Lake County.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida provides more than 300,000 meals each day for families, children and seniors facing hunger through a network of feeding partners in the area such as the Neighborhood Center of South Lake, Love Groveland, Dorca’s Way, Hands of Hope and Well of Hope, just to name a few.
Sheriff Grinnell and Lt. Kelly Stone, who helped organize the event, would like to thank the many volunteers, staff and citizens who participated in this year’s successful event. “From our family to yours, we wish everyone a safe, happy and healthy holiday season”, says Lt. Stone.
The need for food support is a year-round necessity that requires the help of citizens and organizations alike to be successful. Visit www.FeedHopeNow.org for more information on ways to volunteer, donate or stay connected with Second Harvest Food Bank.
