Community Food Pantry to Honor Donors During Ceremony

TAMPA, FL – Charitable organizations that distribute food to the communities they serve cannot survive on bread alone. They rely on other organizations and businesses – as well as individuals – to help keep their shelves stocked.

The Community Food Pantry, located at 13115 S. Village Drive in Carrollwood, will unveil its sponsorship wall during a ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 11:30 a.m. The sponsorship wall is located behind the pantry’s registration desk so it will be visible upon entering the building.

“It is easily seen by all those coming to the pantry, volunteers, clients and donors from the community at large,” said Monica Wilson, the executive director of the Community Food Pantry.

Wilson said the idea for the wall came from their partner organization, Feeding Tampa Bay, which also has a donor wall at their office.

“We thought it was a terrific way for our clients to see who it is that supports our mission,” she said.

During the event, CFP will honor Feeding Tampa Bay plus Publix, Whole Foods Carrollwood and Fresh Market Carrollwood as Platinum Sponsors.

“Publix, Whole Foods and Fresh Market donate to the pantry daily with fresh produce and pre-made foods, bread, milk, meat and non-perishables for our clients,” Wilson said. “Feeding Tampa Bay allows the CFP to purchase food at a reduced rate in order to have a selection of nutritious foods at the pantry.”

The organization’s founding sponsor, Village Presbyterian Church, as well as local businesses that support the Pantry will also be recognized.

“We began as a mission of Village Presbyterian Church, and as they support us monetarily and with facility space, we are honoring them as our foundation sponsor,” Wilson said.

The Community Food Pantry’s mission is to end the physical and emotional hunger of families in a dignified manner. They take into consideration the whole person: their hunger needs, health concerns and nutritional well-being.

The CFP expects to serve more than 17,000 people in 2016, but Wilson said that number is expected to climb.

“The pantry has been experiencing an influx of new families this fall,” she said. “We expect that we will serve 4,500 or more families this year, and likely exceed 5,000 next year, or as many as 19,000 people if these trends hold. The number of new families coming each week to the pantry are staggering. We continue to provide food for all of those who come in need.”

For more information about the Community Food Pantry, visit http://www.thecommunityfoodpantry.com/ or like their fan page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/villagecommunityfoodpantry/ for updates.

Image courtesy of Community Food Pantry