Lady Lake Christian Food Pantry

Psalm 23

2007-08-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

Myspace.com

2007-08-13T10:48:00.000-07:00

Myspace.com

Volunteers working during the summer...

2007-08-06T09:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Google Calendar

2007-08-01T10:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Google Calendar

2007-07-31T03:07:00.001-07:00

Remembering our pledges...

2007-07-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all."

"I affirm my loyalty to the Christian Flag
and to the Savior whose cross it bears,
one spiritual fellowship under that cross,
uniting us in service and love."

Will be closed on Independance Day

2007-07-04T04:31:00.000-07:00

Greeting To All My Friends at the Pantry

2007-07-01T04:20:00.000-07:00

2007-06-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

Closed

2007-05-28T04:20:00.000-07:00

From The Daily Sun

2007-05-24T04:23:00.000-07:00

Christian Food Pantry aids people who fall on hard times, struggles to keep shelves full

By THERESA CAMPBELL, DAILY SUN

LADY LAKE — Cheryl Hershberger knows from experience that summer will be the Christian Food Pantry’s busiest time of the year, when children are not in school to receive their meals.

“We always have a hard time keeping enough food stocked in the pantry during the summer months,” said Hershberger, a Spruce Creek South resident who serves as the volunteer director for the pantry.

“Our storage areas are going down very fast and we’re scrambling,” she said. “In two weeks, we’ll be scraping the bottom of the barrel and we really need the help.”

The food pantry serves residents of Lady Lake, The Villages, Summerfield south of County Road 42 and east of U.S. Highway 301, and Weirsdale west of the Ocklawaha River.

Among the people who visit the pantry at 103 E. Lady Lake Blvd. are about 10 families in The Villages who struggle to make ends meet on fixed incomes, Hershberger said, as well as large families with children.

“They are having a hard time with everything,” Hershberger said. “And it’s not just the rising cost of gasoline; everything is more expensive.”

She believes the demand for the pantry’s services, unfortunately, will only increase.

“We serve about 150 families a month, but we expect it to increase to 200 families or more,” Hershberger said. “Two hundred families is a lot of people. We have families of one and two, and families of nine to 11, so we go through food very quickly.”

The food pantry provides two bags of groceries for a small family, three bags for a medium family, and four or five bags for a large family — about five days of meals.

“It’s really just meant to tide them through,” Hershberger said. “Most of our people get welfare of some sort or food stamps, and if they don’t, we are encouraging them to do that. We are also encouraging them to get jobs and help themselves, because that’s the key.”

Each family receives certain staple items from the food pantry, in addition to a few items the family selects.

Hershberger added, “We also are giving them a pound of ground beef, some hot dogs, hot dog buns and bread when we have it, and eggs. We provide those (perishables) with the cash donations we receive.”

Hershberger strives to be a good steward with the cash donations the pantry receives, shopping at grocery stores with the best prices.

“I can feel a difference with the rising costs,” Hershberger said. “Yet, I’m very careful about where I buy it and how much it costs.”

The Christian Food Pantry receives the bulk of its nonperishable food during the Christmas season, during the Holiday Harvest Food Drive hosted in The Villages, and the annual drive by the Boy Scouts, Hershberger said. A few churches and organizations provide food on a regular basis, too.

Hershberger is appreciative of each and every donation.

“During the holiday season when we get most of our food donations, we store it,” she said. “Yet, by this time of the year, it’s dwindling quickly, and it’s almost gone.”

Hershberger remains optimistic.

She has faith that Villagers and area residents will come to the rescue and help fill the pantry’s shelves.

“I’m not worried, because the people here always give,” Hershberger said with a gentle smile. “They’ll step up and they’ll do what needs to be done, once they know that we have a need.”

Peanut butter, boxes of macaroni and cheese, and canned fruits and vegetables are among nonperishables that quickly disappear from the shelves.

“We are in need of everything,” Hershberger said. “Basically, we can use cans of beef stew, corned beef hash, chicken and dumplings, canned pasta, miscellaneous beans, spaghetti sauce, canned meats, macaroni and cheese, canned potatoes, boxed meals, peanut butter, canned fruit and toilet paper. Those are our basic needs.”

“I also could use some summer volunteers, and I need them desperately,” Hershberger said, “because a lot of our snowbirds leave and then a lot of people go on vacation, and they are just not available.”

Those interested in volunteering may call Hershberger at 874-8027.

She also would love to hear from volunteers who are capable of lifting 20 to 25 pounds.

“I can really use them, because in the summer a lot of things have to be moved,” she said. “I can’t do it alone and I need the help.”

Nancy Van Gorden of the Village of Santo Domingo is among the pantry’s volunteers. She has been serving for two years, stocking shelves and helping clients every Tuesday.

“I get a lot of satisfaction out of helping people,” Van Gorden said. “This is very worthy service, and the food pantry is always in need of donations for food. There are a lot of needy people in the surrounding area.”

Hershberger wants to see the food pantry grow to be able to provide families in need with more food.

“We’re going to step this up,” she said. “We’re going to give them more food, and we’re going to work in conjunction with Love Inc., and we’re going to work on this community and get it in better shape.”

Hershberger said Love Inc. is an organization of churches committed to working together to provide more services and more funds to help people through hard times.

In the meantime, Hershberger is hopeful more residents, clubs and churches will come through with food donations for the pantry.

“The need is always there,” Hershberger said, “and there are always people looking for ways to help the community. This is how you can help.”

Theresa Campbell is a senior features writer with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9260, or theresa.campbell@thevillagesmedia.com.

Monday Afternoon Volunteers...

2007-05-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

They still know how to smile...

Dear Lord

2007-05-13T09:36:00.001-07:00

We praise you and give you glory
For the wonderful things you do for us;
For life and health,
for friends and family,
for this splendid day.

Majesty

2007-05-07T14:25:00.000-07:00

Majesty, worship His majesty. Unto Jesus be all glory, honor, and praise.

Pantry distributes over $50,000 in groceries through April 2007.

2007-05-06T14:35:00.000-07:00

Our Donors

2007-05-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the individuals and organizations who generously give to make our ministry possible!

Pantry director with new granddaughter...

2007-04-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

What we're all about

2007-04-26T02:54:00.000-07:00

Giving extra groceries each month to needy families in our service area.

Pantry Volunteers discussing changes...

2007-04-26T02:34:00.000-07:00

Villages resident learns to ask, then prepare to receive

2007-04-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

By THERESA CAMPBELL, DAILY SUN
Villager Cheryl Hershberger is tickled pink, and she wants the community to know why.As the on-site manager of the Christian Food Pantry in Lady Lake, Cheryl is pleased by the response from residents who have answered the call for food donations to the pantry.
“People are coming out of the woodwork and I am thrilled,” Cheryl said after a story about the pantry’s need for nonperishable foods was published in the Daily Sun.“People are so generous and wonderful,” she said. “It just blows me away. We have had people coming in here since Monday morning bringing stuff, and it’s just getting better and better all the time.”Cheryl says she was deeply touched when a local group, the Cleveland Browns Backers, offered to provide 200 holiday hams for the pantry’s clients for Easter. She was touched again when Chick-Fil-A offered to host a Spirit Night on May 4, from which the restaurant will donate 15 percent of its sales. Chick-Fil-A’s management also hopes diners will bring nonperishable food donations that can be loaded into a truck and delivered to the pantry.Several Villagers asked Cheryl where they could mail monetary donations for the pantry. The best way, she says, is to make checks payable to North Lake Presbyterian Church, which oversees the food pantry, and write Christian Food Pantry on the memo line. Donations can be mailed to the church, 975 Rolling Acres Road, Lady Lake.

Thanks to Friday Morning Volunteers

2007-04-21T17:28:00.000-07:00

Christian Food Pantry Volunteers

2007-04-21T17:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks Trinity Lutheran.

2007-04-09T06:29:00.000-07:00

He Has Risen

2007-04-08T00:07:00.001-07:00

Registered Food Recipients by Age

2007-04-05T07:23:00.000-07:00

Registered Families

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Families Served

2007-03-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

Food Items Needed at the Pantry

2007-03-07T19:00:00.001-08:00

Taking a much deserved break at the pantry...

2007-03-07T18:35:00.000-08:00

Available Food and Clothing Ministries in Wildwood, FL

2007-03-06T10:01:00.000-08:00

Our church’s food and clothing ministry, Caring Hands, corner of Gamble and Hall Streets, 1 – 4 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, for Wildwood residents only at this point.  Phone 748-2553, leave message.

Wildwood UMC’s food pantry, 300 Mason Street, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Fridays.  I think they serve all of Sumter County.  Phone number 748-1318.

The 1st Presbyterian Church of Wildwood, 203 Barwick, serves free lunches daily from 11 – 12:30, too.  I’m not sure what their service area really is.  Phone number is 748-1008.

Our director welcomes another new volunteer

2007-03-05T21:19:00.000-08:00

New Volunteer Rose, Joins Food Pantry Team!

2007-03-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

2006 Numbers

2007-02-25T11:00:00.000-08:00

Moving Food to Storage Sheds

2007-02-18T16:44:00.000-08:00

Storing food in boxes

2007-02-18T16:43:00.000-08:00

Training New Volunteers

2007-02-18T16:41:00.000-08:00

Major storm and tornado slams Lady Lake

2007-02-02T12:11:00.001-08:00

Volunteers...

2007-02-02T07:22:00.000-08:00

January at the Pantry

2007-01-17T20:26:00.001-08:00

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark...

2007-01-09T17:43:00.000-08:00

One : Don't miss the boat.
Two : Remember that we are all in the same boat.
Three : Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
Four : Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
Five : Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
Six : Build your future on high ground.
Seven : For safety sake, travel in pairs! !
Eight : Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
Nine : When you're stressed, float a while.
Ten : Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Eleven : No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

NOW, wasn't that nice? Pass it along and make someone else smile, too.

Welcome!!

2007-01-06T14:40:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!

2007-01-03T16:07:00.000-08:00

The Christian Food Pantry is now open after the Holiday season.

Jesus is Born!

2006-12-25T15:01:00.000-08:00

Pantry Will Be Closed the Week of...

2006-12-22T14:49:00.000-08:00

December 25 to December 29

Providing a helping hand to hungry humans

2006-12-22T14:17:00.000-08:00

2006-12-21T13:39:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the people of St George's Episcopal for your monthly contributions this year to our food pantry. Your giving has made it possible for the pantry to provide extra food to our many recipients. God Bless You!

December 2006 Thanks

2006-12-20T11:57:00.001-08:00

Thanks for your generosity!

Sunset Ridge Residents - theVillages
Bellalupers - theVillages
Bags of Love - Winifred theVillages (North Lake Presbyterian Church)
Red Hats of theVillages - Denobile
SOS (Trinity Lutheran Church)

Cheryl Hershberger, Director
Lady Lake Christian Food Pantry

Updated Donation Receipt Recommendation

2006-12-17T18:37:00.000-08:00

Salvation Army Leesburg Needs Breakfast Servers

2006-12-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

The Salvation Army in Leesburg, Florida is planning to expand its breakfast meal schedule to include Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact Capt Sandra Bagley at (352) 365-0079 if you would be able to serve breakfast meals on either one of those days. Christ Blessings!

Needing more assistance?

2006-12-10T16:22:00.000-08:00

Check out Love INC of the Heart of Florida

Dave Ns Schedule

2006-12-10T09:48:00.001-08:00

Cheryl.

I'll be in all day Monday except from 12-1:30 for dental. Sorry for
this late notice.

Dave.

Updated Donation Receipt Suggestion

2006-12-10T08:42:00.000-08:00

This form would be given to all people who donate. The top items would be completed only if the donor desires. The remainer of the form includes a donation thank-you, the address of our new pantry blog, and a convient list of needed food items.

Grocery Bag Message Suggestion

2006-12-08T06:14:00.000-08:00

Open House at Cheryls

2006-12-07T08:05:00.000-08:00

2006-12-07T06:05:00.000-08:00

God Bless All People. No Exceptions.

2006-12-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

Bumper sticker in the Villages.

We give thanks to our God.

2006-12-07T04:54:00.000-08:00

What is a blog?

2006-12-06T13:38:00.001-08:00

A blog is formed by two words web log. It's a web log or diary that allows the publishing of information that changes often. Blog software normally includes a place to view postings by one or more authors. The postings are listed in reverse date order with the most current posting on top. Unlike a normal web site a blog enables users normally called authors to add, edit, modify, and delete information without the help of a technical person or webmaster. Authors may post or publish a variety of media including words, images, video, and audio. Postings are automatically archived. Blog viewers or readers are often able to comment on each posting.

Suggestions for Improving Blog

2006-12-06T12:57:00.000-08:00

Looking for suggestions that will improve this blog. Record your
suggestions by clicking on the word "comments" associated with this
post. and complete the form provided.
Please provide your name.

Dave Norman.

Thank you ! Panera Bread

2006-12-06T12:23:00.000-08:00

Panera's generosity satisfies our our weekly requirements for bread and sweet rolls.

Food Pantry Front Door

2006-12-06T12:11:00.000-08:00

Our Assistant Director...

2006-12-06T10:56:00.000-08:00

Thanks Lois for all that you do. You are one hard-working, dependable lady!

Click on map to view our service area...

2006-12-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

Our service area includes: Lady Lake, The Villages, Summerfield (south of SR42), and Weirsdale (west of Ocklawaha River)

2006-12-06T10:49:00.000-08:00

Shelving and Sorting Food

2006-12-06T10:40:00.000-08:00

An Automatic Post to the Lady Lake Christian Food Pantry via Email

2006-12-06T10:33:00.001-08:00

Open House from 5-9.

Information gathered on recipients

2006-12-06T09:23:00.000-08:00

Stocking Shelves

2006-12-05T18:51:00.000-08:00

Validating Food Recipients

2006-12-05T18:28:00.000-08:00

Providing hams in December

2006-12-05T18:25:00.000-08:00

Inside the Pantry

2006-12-01T18:46:00.001-08:00

Click on maps to find the Pantry

2006-11-29T19:10:00.000-08:00

In the town of Lady Lake, FL. On East Lady Lake Blvd. Just 2 blocks south of the intersection of SR 466 and Hwy 441.

2006-11-23T19:22:00.000-08:00

Just some of the many turkeys given out for this Thanksgiving

Highly Successful Scout Food Drive

2006-11-11T15:52:00.000-08:00