Pinellas Deputies To Deliver Holiday Meals To Needy Families

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, FL -- Fifty needy families will be enjoying a Christmas bounty thanks to a joint effort of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, the Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District, the Indian Rocks Beach Rotary Club, Publix and the Beach Community Food Pantry at Calvary Episcopal Church.

This is an annual holiday project focused on helping families who might not otherwise be able to afford a traditional meal this holiday. Deputies with the Pinellas Sheriff's Office Community Policing Unit identified families in need through their daily work in the community. And the partner organizations raised money to provide them with a Christmas dinner of ham and all the trimmings.

On Thursday, Dec. 21, at 2:45 p.m., deputies will begin loading their vehicles behind the Publix at Indian Rocks Shopping Center and deliver meals to homes in Lealman, Highpoint, Ridgecrest and other neighborhoods throughout unincorporated Pinellas County.

This is the 14th year for the event and the partnership between the organizations, which also fund similar projects for Thanksgiving and Easter.

Each family will receive a Publix spiral baked honey-glazed ham, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, gravy, pineapple, a gallon of unsweetened iced tea, apple juice, a loaf of bread, peanut butter, grape jelly, navy beans, macaroni and cheese, an apple pie from the Publix Bakery, a box of Little Debbie Christmas tree cakes and candy canes.

Calvary Episcopal Church's Holiday Meal Ministry and the Beach Community Food Pantry at 1615 1st St., Indian Rocks Beach, are always accepting donations of money and nonperishable food. For more information, contact the church at (727) 595-2374.

Photo via Beach Community Food Pantry

Beach Community Food Pantry Director Connie Curran presents a certificate of appreciation to Marshall Eiss of the Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District for its partnership in helping needy families.