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Food Bank To Expand Drive

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By CARL ORTH

The Suncoast News

Published: October 10, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - With more people out of work and more families struggling to make ends meet, The Volunteer Way food bank is straining to keep up with demand.

Between 150 and 180 people are seeking free food every day at the food bank, located at 7820 Congress St., said Martha O' Brien, The Volunteer Way's assistant chief executive officer.

The food bank assists about 17,000 households each month, along with supplying more than 70 charities and food pantries.

Monday, the food bank ran out of food and was only able to give some people drinks.

To meet the increased need for food, the Kids Against Hunger food drive is expanding. Volunteers go door-to-door, collecting food and money. This year, they will visit more houses.

Volunteers collect food and money once a month. Two collections are scheduled in November.

The food bank is looking for families to help. The food drive also makes a great project for church groups, social groups or businesses.

Volunteers will distribute flyers in each neighborhood ahead of the food drive, letting residents know they'll be coming around.

Then the volunteers will go door-to-door.

All the money and food collected here will benefit west Pasco County residents, O' Brien said.

The Volunteer Way seeks donations of nonperishable food, diapers and money.

All donations are tax-deductible. Individual donations can be dropped off at the food bank.

Other drop-off sites include:

•Stop and Play, 10933 U.S. 19, Port Richey

•Palm Harbor Physical Therapy, 8351 State Road 54, Suite 101, New Port Richey
•Wachovia Bank, corner of S.R. 54 and Madison Street, New Port Richey
•Chiary's Boxing Club, 5910 Pine Hill Road, Port Richey

For details, call Volunteer Way at (727) 815-0433, or go to www.thevolunteerway.org.

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