United Way’s Food Drive Stocks Local Pantries & Shelters for the Holidays

October’s “Give Thanks, Give Food”Drive

Throughout the month of October, United Way of Hernando County will be hosting their 4^th Annual “Give Thanks, Give Food” Drive. This county-wide effort will benefit five local food pantries and shelters in Hernando County: Dawn Center’s Domestic Violence Shelter, St. Vincent de Paul’s Food Pantry, People Helping People’s Weekend Blessings program, Youth & Family Alternative’s New Beginning’s Youth Shelter, and Mid Florida Homeless Coalition’s outreach efforts.

The non-perishable food donations collected will be sorted, packed, and distributed to the agencies as part of United Way’s month-long “5 Days of Caring” in November. Stay up to date with all of United Way’s upcoming events by visiting UnitedWayHernando.org/calendar

Last year’s “GIVE THANKS, GIVE FOOD” Drive distributed over 6,000 lbs. of food, including 264 cans Green Beans, 477lbs in pasta, and approximately $309 worth of SpaghettiOs and Ravioli. “The unique thing about United Way’s food drive is the variety of non-perishable foods donated,” said Ed Sweeney, President of St. Vincent de Paul. “These special items allow us to add a little ‘spice’ to the day-to-day staple items we include in each cart load. All donated food is going directly to local Hernando County residents in need of food stability and who are utilizing local food pantries, such as ourselves. We are so grateful for the partnership in helping reach those in need throughout Hernando.”

The following list has been identified as the most needed non-perishables, preferably easy to open items such as pouched food and pop-top cans:

Unopened and unexpired food items can be dropped off to the United Way of Hernando County office (4028 Commercial Way) Monday-Friday between 9:30am- 4:30pm. A special thank you to participating locations that will be hosting internal food drives throughout October (as of 10/2/2023):

• Early Learning Coalition of Pasco Hernando
• Grow Financial (Mariner Commons)
• Hernando County Public Works
• Hernando County Supervisor of Elections
• Hernando County Utilities Department
• LifeSouth Community Blood Center
• Regions Bank (Commercial Way & Broad Street)
• Target (Commercial Way & Aerial Way)
• Tropic Shores Realty – Linda Tacy

Save the date for a special give back opportunity through all Hernando Publix stores on Sunday, October 29^th from 10am – 3pm. Select items may be purchased on site and donated to this fall initiative!

Contact United Way of Hernando for more information 352-688-2026.

Volunteers are needed to help count, sort and organize collected items. Sign up to volunteer for the “Give Thanks Give Food” Distribution on November 8^th and other 5 DAYS OF CARING opportunities through United Way’s Lend A Hand Hernando online volunteer portal, www.UnitedWayHernando.org/Volunteer.