Hometown

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 13, 2008

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High Fives

Hats off to the Pasco County waste haulers: Accurate Waste, Waste Aid, Seaside Sanitation, Waste Express and Waste Services. Contributions of non-perishable food items from residents were either dropped off or set out to be picked up and were collected and delivered to a Pasco charity. They were the collection resource for the Food Drive for the Holiday Season, and they also participate in community and charitable events throughout the year.

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Through its food bank on Congress Street in New Port Richey, the Volunteer Way assisted 6,000 families in Pasco County and 17,000 families throughout Florida in 2007. Food pantries and soup kitchens come to Volunteer Way to meet the growing needs of poor families.

In order to continue the work it has done for the past 21 years, Volunteer Way has made some important changes to become more efficient and accountable. It plans to distribute 6-million pounds of food in 2008 and 10-million pounds by 2010. The present warehouse is being expanded and two new food banks will be located north and south of New Port Richey.

A new program, "Kids Against Hunger," involves kids and parents working together to help less fortunate families. The volunteers go into the communities and train block captains to hold food drives and fundraisers. In the first two months, 4,000 pounds of food and $500 was collected and donated to the Volunteer Way. To be a part of the solution, call (727) 815-0433.

[Last modified January 12, 2008, 20:39:33]