Farm Share Food Giveaway is Tomorrow

Need a little help feeding folks for the holidays?

State lawmakers are holding the annual Farm Share Food Giveaway tomorrow at Redeemer Community Church in the New Port Richey area. . The giveaway is intended for needy families and includes fresh food donated by farmers from throughout Florida. The event is held by state Reps. Mike Fasano and Richard Corcoran and state Sen. John Legg, all of whom are Republican,

Annually, the event provides over 500 familes with food and other items needed for a complete holiday dinner, according to a press release.

Donations from Publix, AT&T and other individuals and organizations are also disbursed at the giveaway.

“We are once again blessed to work with farmers throughout Florida to provide food at this special time of the year,” Fasano stated in the press release. “When so many Floridians are hurting it is wonderful to see our community come together to serve others.”

During last year’s giveaway, organizers ran out of food in less than three hours and had to turn 150 families away, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Greg Giordano, Fasano’s chief legislative aid, told Patch that this year organizers are expecting “yet another busy year at Farm Share."

Organizers have purchased 550 hams, 550 bags of potatoes and 550 boxes of candy canes to prepare.

“We increased the amount of food we purchased over last year to help reduce the number of people who may be turned away,” Giordano said. “Representative Fasano hopes to have some money left over to purchase gift cards to Publix for anyone who gets there after the food is gone, but there is no way of knowing if that will happen until the day of the giveaway."

Going to the giveaway? Here's what to know:

What: Farm Share Food Giveaway

When: Friday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon

Where: Redeemer Community Church, 9230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey

Screening: "The Farm Share program requires that families be asked for proof that they receive Medicaid, SSI and /or food stamps," Giordano said.