Nationwide Title Clearing (NTC) employees donated 76 pounds of food and collected $90 as part of their summer food drive to benefit F.E.A.S.T. (Food Emergency And Services Team) Palm Harbor Food Pantry in July. FEAST Pantry is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian organization that relies on the generosity of our local service community - individuals and groups - to provide financial support and food for local families in need. Everyday local businesses such as Publix, Starbucks and Panera Bread donate food. Neighbors volunteer their time to sort, pack and hand out groceries. The Boy Scouts and local letter carriers conduct food drives to supply the pantry with over 25 tons of food - and it is still not enough!
To learn more about FEAST or to make a donation, click here.
More than half of the 109,000 students enrolled in the Pinellas County school system go without breakfast or lunch during the school year - which makes summer a long, dreaded vacation for a low-income family. During the summer months, the FEAST Pantry adds special programs to make sure that these students have access to free breakfast, lunch and healthy snacks. Last year FEAST sponsored over 100 children attending summer camp, providing breakfast of cereal, yogurt, fruit, milk and juice. Children at summer camp also enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, lunchmeat sandwiches, fruit, juice, and FEAST provided 2,000 bottles of water. At the end of the summer, all of the summer camp children received a new pair of shoes and a backpack filled with school supplies.
FEAST Inc. is run by director Walt Andersen and his wife Lois (pictured with NTC's Janice Rush), who have been leading the organization for twelve years. Walt and Lois assist over 3,000 families bi-weekly and that amount rises every week. The pantry has been helping families in need for over 30 years here in Palm Harbor although many members in the community are unaware of their existence. Their mission is to be the safety net that keeps a thin line of food security for the community. FEAST Inc. is staffed by two part-time employees and forty-three dedicated volunteers. They are a 501C3, non-profit food pantry that is completely funded by local churches, civic organizations, local schools, businesses and members of the community.
