Big ‘thanks’ to community for feeding neighbors

PHOTO COURTESY CFECF
Thank you — President and CEO Nita Schmellick of the Community Foundation of East Central Florida, left, presents the “Business Super Hero for Hunger Award” to Selma Barker of Jennings Insurance in Volusia County, and Realtor Donna Tofal of Flagler County.

By Pat Andrews
Beacon Staff Writer

posted Oct 5, 2012 - 11:59:38am

Droves of Volusians turned out Sept. 9-15 to help feed their neighbors during the “Hunger Call to Action Week.”

• 662 pounds of food collected at 35 food sites in West Volusia

• 763 pounds of food collected at 30 food sites in East Volusia

• 829 pounds of food collected at 13 libraries

• Another 882 pounds of food collected in Flagler County

Along with food and money, the drive raised awareness of the need.

“Food is a key ingredient in preventing homelessness among those living on very limited resources,” Community Foundation President and CEO Nita Schmellick said. She said when it comes to paying rent, utilities and other bills, food often comes in last.

Businesses and individuals donated approximately $10,000 in cash, and donations are still coming in, Schmellick said.

An appreciation reception Sept. 24 at the Holiday Inn at LPGA honored the volunteers who made the week of giving a success.

Individual volunteers honored as “Super Heroes for Hunger” were Mary Leone in West Volusia and Andriena Ingham in East Volusia.

Selma Barker of Jennings Insurance in New Smyrna Beach was honored for getting the most businesses involved in the campaign in Volusia County.

Flagler Realtor Donna Tofal of Re/Max Oceanside was also recognized as “Super Business Hero for Hunger” for collecting, along with her team of agents and other businesses, the 882 pounds of food in Flagler County.

Schmellick said several agencies worked hard to organize food drives, including Halifax Urban Ministries in Daytona Beach, The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia in DeLand, Pine Ridge Fellowship Methodist Church in Deltona, the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach, and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties.

The food drive is just the beginning, Schmellick said.

Building on the food summit in early August, she and the partnering agencies plan to build a distribution system and share resources to gather and share food more effectively.

Planning for a spring week of giving will begin soon.

To get involved or get more information, call Schmellick at 386-734-4075.

She also thanked the food drive’s business sponsors: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Brown and Brown Insurance in Daytona Beach, Dolphin Printing and Design, Curley Tail Design in Palm Coast, and Creative Resources Media in Daytona Beach.

— pat@beacononlinenewscom

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