Who We Serve

Distributing products though over 160 community and faith based member Agencies, the Food Bank serves a diverse population. Agencies include faith and community based food pantries, health clinics, senior service centers, domestic violence and homeless shelters, and homes for the mentally ill, the disabled, and troubled youths. Each Agency assists individuals and families experiencing immediate crisis or struggling to maintain their independence. Our target population includes individuals from all walks of life and of all ages but who share one common thread – food insecurity.

A well-balanced, nutritional diet is the foundation upon which individuals build a better life. Proper diet provides the nutritional balance needed for a healthy and energetic life – those suffering from inadequate or imbalanced diets for long periods of time feel the effects as their overall health and general energy levels deteriorate. The working poor, the unemployed and underemployed, seniors and others living on fixed incomes, are all particularly vulnerable to even slight changes in the economy. Today almost 100,000 residents of Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, and Sumter Counties live in poverty (U.S. Census Bureau), over 15,000 adults are un-employed (Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation), and 1 of every 2 children born this day will be born into poverty (U.S. Department of Labor). With unemployment ranging from 3% to 5%, almost 5 individuals seek employment for every job opening in our service area (U.S Department of Labor). These statistics all indicate that many living in our community require immediate, short-term emergency food and some will need food assistance on a long-term basis.