TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Samaritan Project Is Off To Fast Start

ADVERTISEMENT

By GEOFF FOX

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 8, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - It may have officially started Aug. 1, but the Samaritan Project, created to aid needy families in and around the city, has been helping people for months.

The project is a partnership between the city, Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce and Zephyrhills/Wesley Chapel Ministerial Association.

"Word got out a lot quicker than we thought it would," said Jan Slater, executive director of the Zephyrhills chamber. "The chamber is going to be the gatekeeper, if you will. All calls will come in to the chamber, or people can just walk in. If someone in need goes to the Catholic church, say, they'll just send them on down or have them call us."

Although the program has garnered little publicity, Slater said it dispersed about $2,000 to needy families and individuals last month.

Jim Pittman, a financial adviser with Edward Jones Investments in Zephyrhills, is one of the project's leaders.

He said the program is designed for short-term relief to help people "get over a hump."

"We'll have the chamber staffed with volunteers to take information from people and evaluate needs," Pittman said. "If there are needs that don't fall into the short-term, then we're also a first-stop resource, and we can direct people to the right agencies and take out some of the legwork."
Zephyrhills City Manager Steve Spina said the idea started with Bob Loring, lead organizer with East Pasco Toys for Tots and long known for his interest in community programs.

Loring "had the idea that maybe Zephyrhills could establish a model that would not only help us, but maybe one that different communities also could adopt," Spina said.

"In terms of the city, we had officers who found people living in their cars and needing assistance in different ways.

"We realized we were duplicating things the ministerial association and chamber were already doing."

Through the program, the poor can receive help buying food, gasoline or their prescription drugs, or paying their rent or for overnight lodging, among other things.

However, program administrators want to ensure that the system is not abused. People will only be able to get help once a month.

"The main thing is verifying need," Slater said, adding that computer software will soon be installed that will alert volunteers to people looking to exploit the program.

"We'll know if people are running the circuit. We'll know if they were in New Port Richey and got free gas last night."

The program, which has an eight-member board of volunteers, is trying to get local churches, businesses and individuals to contribute.

"Even $25 a month helps," Slater said. "We need to help supply the food banks, too."

The needy don't have to be Zephyrhills residents.

The program recently helped a traveling family - including a pregnant mother - whose vehicle broke down in Zephyrhills.

Repairs had drained the family's finances.

"We put them up for two nights in a local motel," Slater said.

"All they wanted to do was get home."

THE SAMARITAN PROJECT
For information about the Samaritan Project, call the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce at (813) 782-1913 or visit its office at 38550 Fifth Ave.

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or gfox@tampatrib.com. Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or gfox@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT