Vol. 27 | Iss. 03 | MAR 2023
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MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEERS SERVE 200 PEOPLE A DAY By Kathy L. Collins
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Columns: Grace Notes: Hooked On Books: Faith & Footprints: News From The Wire:
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If you or someone you know is homebound and unable to prepare a home cooked meal, the Greater Brandon Meals On Wheels may be able to help. The person in need can be of any age, and the circumstance of their need can be temporary or permanent. The Greater Brandon Meals On Wheels helps those in need who live in a territory covering the Brandon, Seffner and Valrico area (east to Dover Rd., west to Hwy. 301, north to I-4 and south to the Alafia River). While clients are asked to donate $2.50 per meal, no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. Clients can be referred to the Through a team of all volunteers, the Greater Greater Brandon Meals On Wheels Brandon Meals On Wheels provides hot, nutriby organizations, churches, family, tious meals to homebound residents of Branfriends, physicians or neighbors. don, Valrico and Seffner. The goal is to enrich the independent lives of these residents. Clients are screened in their home Photo below Courtesy of Meals on Wheels Tampa to verify eligibility. A daily meal is prepared by volunteers and delivered Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The meal includes a main course (chicken, beef, fish, pork, etc.), starch, vegetable, salad, bread and dessert. Meals are cooked, assembled and delivered by volunteer members and friends of 17 participating area churches. Currently, the Greater Brandon Meals On Wheels serves over 200 medically-needy, homebound residents. For many of these residents, the daily visit from the Greater Brandon Meals
On Wheels volunteer is the only human contact they receive that day. The services provided are intended to increase intake of nutritious food; improve their personal outlook and health; and decrease the feeling of isolation and loneliness. Carol Shick is the General Coordinator for the Greater Brandon Meals On Wheels. Shick said, “We are a completely volunteer organization and solely funded by donations. We love serving the community and our clients.” S h i c k s a i d , “ M a n y churches will prepare special holiday foods and some give holiday favors. At Christmas, each client receives a bag or box with small treats, books and toiletries. We deliver every holiday except Christmas.” The Greater Brandon Meals On Wheels is a 100 percent volunteer run 501 (c )(3) non-profit organization. They operate completely from donations. The organization has been serving the community since 1976. For more information, please visit www.brandonmealsonwheels.com.
FAMILY PROMISE OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PROVIDES HOPE, A HOME AND LOVE By Kathy L. Collins
Family Promise of Hillsborough County Inc. (FamEdwina Reddick is the executive director ily Promise) is a local affiliate of the national orgafor Family Promise. Reddick said, “The most nization. The local affiliate, which helps all of Hillsimportant service we provide is case manborough County, was established in 2010 and took agement. Families must meet a minimum of in its first family in May of 2014. Family Promise twice per week with a case manager. We addresses the issue of homelessness. provide a budgeting class written expressThe mission of Family Promise is to help homeless ly for Family Promise by Woodforest Bank. and low-income families achieve sustainable indeWe require mandatory savings based on an pendence through a community-based response. established budget. Family Promise provides Family Promise provides a means to address famfood, clothing, an array of personal needs. We ily homelessness in a way that most organizations provide hope, we provide a home, and we procannot. The unique way it does this is by keeping Family Promise of Hillsborough County Inc., located in Brandon, pro- vide love.” vides food, shelter and support services for homeless families through a Reddick added, “The goal is to empower the the families together, regardless of their makeup, network of community-based organizations, area churches and local during a very vulnerable time of their lives. businesses. Its goal is to help homeless families become self-sustaining family to become self-sustaining while they while they work toward safe and affordable housing. Family Promise provides food, shelter and supwork toward safe and affordable housing and port services for homeless families. It also provides stabilization once they secure housing. We also least one night prior to entry in the program, have advice and advocacy for at-risk families to prevent provide some prevention services as well as some minor children in their custody, be willing to live in them from becoming homeless. Family Promise is a rehousing services.” a community setting and be willing to participate in 90-day program. After the 90 days, they can sign Family Promise partners with a number of area a case management plan. up for the extended care program where Family organizations, including ECHO, for clothing and job If a family is in need, the first thing to do is to Promise stays with them for up to a year and besearch coaching, as well as 13 area churches, which call 813-681-6170. A partial intake will be done by yond. provide the lodging and food. a call specialist. The application is forwarded to a To be eligible for help from Family Promise, a famFor more information, please visit www.familycase manager, who will then call and complete the ily must be homeless in Hillsborough County for at promisefl.org. application.