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No forms, no wait, just free help for 25 years
By JORGE SANCHEZ, Times Staff Writer INVERNESS -- Through 25 years of giving food, clothing and hope to needy families, Citrus United Basket, commonly called CUB, has always enjoyed a special status of respect among both the clients and its cadre of volunteers. The reason can be boiled down to this: Anytime people are hungry and can't feed their families, a visit to CUB brings a large box of food, enough for many family-sized meals. Included are canned meats, vegetables, breakfast cereal and the perennial meal stretcher -- peanut butter and jelly. In a typical week, about 40 such boxes are given away. School is starting, and the household budget can't handle new clothes and shoes? A visit to CUB brings loads of new or barely used clothes, including the latest in teen fashions. Or perhaps a young mother on welfare needs a business outfit for a job interview. A visit to the CUB boutique provides a snappy suit, shoes and a handbag. It's just that simple, and it's all free. There are no complicated forms to fill out, no waiting period. "There's just me," said Nola Gravius, executive director at CUB. "They come in here and talk to me, and then we help them." Gravius is quick to praise the help of about 20 full-time volunteers who keep the CUB pantry stocked to the rafters with food and sort out the daily mound of donated clothing. Each garment is examined before being folded or hung on the rack. "'Except the young children's stuff. We just stack it up on this counter and let them have at it," Gravius said. "They have so much more fun that way." Gravius, 64, has served as CUB's executive director for 13 years. She and her husband, Ed, are 27-year residents of Citrus County. To honor the many volunteers -- many of whom come in to help out during a busy season, such as the Christmas holiday, and wind up spending many years helping out -- a 25th anniversary celebration was held Saturday at the Citrus County Auditorium. There was a live band, food and children's games. Among such volunteers were John Carr and his wife, Vickie. Vickie Carr, 43, usually helps run the daily activities at the boutique, located at CUB's latest "temporary" headquarters on Mill Avenue behind the Citrus County Courthouse. John Carr, 51, handles many chores, including food pickups, and is in charge of organizing CUB's massive holiday food and toy giveaway. "I first became aware of CUB about 13 years ago, when I was a student and was having problems and needed some assistance," he said. "After they helped me, I asked, 'What can I do to help?' "Like I said, that was 13 years ago, and I've never left." When he met his wife to be, Vickie, 9 years ago, he told her that CUB volunteering came with the territory. "It's just a great thing, because you know that needy people get taken care of," Vickie Carr said. John Carr said CUB was gearing up for its holiday program, in which 4,000 to 5,000 food baskets and thousands of toys will be given away. Carr said he's organized the process over the years to an assembly line. "It used to be one person would pack one family's personalized basket. That was a nice touch, but when the family came in to pick it up, usually their box would be the bottom one of a very large stack. "Now, all the baskets are the same and the whole process is down on paper so the next person who comes along after me can keep it going." Every week at CUB brings its share of rewards, but during the Christmas holidays, the joyful feeling from people helping people washes over like a giant warm wave. And people jump at the chance to help. The ABATE motorcycle group usually spends about $14,000 on toys and often comes back with an additional $2,500 last minute shipment. School employees also raise about $10,000, including $5,000 from Citrus Springs Elementary. Thousands of individual contributors also bring in presents. And it's Gravius' goal to give away every single item. She's gruff-voiced and stern, but while there's a toy or food basket at CUB, no one is turned away. The toy giveaway for teens is a richly rewarding and often emotional experience. The Saturday before Christmas, a line of teens waits outside the CUB headquarters. They are somewhat self-conscious, but hey seem glad to be there. In groups of 10, they are brought inside the building, where a giant mound of teen-worthy gifts await. The atmosphere inside at this point is an exquisite tapestry of the warm feelings that many people long for during the holidays. Upon seeing the stack of CDs, perfumes, watches and sports equipment, the teens usually drop their street-tough demeanor. They don't speak much. They just walk up to the table and start choosing their two gifts. For some, these selections will be the most valued material possession for the year. What little is said between them is said quietly and in warm tones. The volunteers, even the veterans, often cry. And then Gravius, her raspy voice cloaked in velvet softness, comes out of her office and says simply: "Okay, kids, have a good Christmas." And in equally simple acknowledgment, the teens whisper back their thanks. That's what keeps the volunteers coming back. "I figure that's been worth five or six million bucks, at least," John Carr said. CUB moved into its latest headquarters, a vacant city-owned house on Mill Avenue, a few months ago when construction demolished their old building on N Apopka. The boutique is inside the house, and there are storage sheds for the food pantry. Call 344-2242.
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