Monday, December 24, 2012
The Lithia food bank gave out groceries, toys and blankets to 200 needy families.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- D'Ann White
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Monday, December 24, 2012
Long before the doors opened at Grace Community Church in Lithia, migrant farmworkers, with their eager children in tow, began lining up outside in anticipation of an early Christmas. In what's become a seasonal tradition for the Seeds of Hope food pantry, volunteers gathered inside the church Friday night, hurriedly preparing boxes of groceries, pillows, blankets and toys to distribute to 200 families who might not otherwise receive anything this holiday. Working with Seeds of Hope founder Leda Eaton, Pinecrest Elementary School migrant resource teacher Delma Fuentes invited the families she knows are most in need to participate in the annual distribution. "I know their needs because I know all of these families personally," said Fuentes…
Thursday, December 20, 2012
The FishHawk food pantry is seeking donations of blankets and new toys.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- D'Ann White
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Thursday, December 20, 2012
To ensure that all residents in the area have a Merry Christmas, the Seeds of Hope food pantry, founded by FishHawk Ranch resident Leda Eaton, is hosting "A Child Shivers in the Night" blanket drive, collecting new and used blankets for the children of migrant farmworkers and other residents in need to keep them warm during chilly weather. In addition, the food bank is collecting new and barely used toys for needy children. Children range in age from infants to teens. The donations will be given out during the Seeds of Hope Christmas food distribution Dec. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Grace Community Church, 5708 Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., Lithia. At that time, more than 200 families will receive a week's worth of groceries. Santa is expected to hand…
Thursday, November 22, 2012
More than 2,500 runners, walkers and trotters turned out for the fourth annual FishHawk Turkey Trot.
More than 2,500 residents worked up at appetite for a Thanksgiving feast by participating in the fourth annual FishHawk Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning. Lured by seasonally cool temperatures and the chance to raise funds for needy families, the record crowd participated in a 5K race and 1-mile fun run before heading home to prepare Thanksgiving Day meals. In addition to the competitions, children were invited to make crafts provided by Superior Residences and overseen by Newsome High School students. There also were plenty of photos taken with the Turkey Trot mascot. All funds raised go to the Seeds of Hope Food Pantry in Lithia. Registration for the Nov. 22 event begins at 6:30 a.m.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The Thanksgiving event will take place at the FishHawk Ranch Publix.
Newsome High School students sacrificed Sunday afternoon to spend time at The Art Monkey studio in Park Square, creating ceramic medals for the upcoming Turkey Trot Their motivation was only partly benevolent. They also were after the coveted 100 service hours needed to qualify for a Bright Futures Scholarship. Providing such service hours was the reason FishHawk Ranch mother Leda Eaton founded the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K run four years ago. "My kids were on the cross-country team at Newsome High School and needed service hours," recalled Eaton. "I remembered turkey trots when I lived in West Virginia and suggested we do one here." Given that the run takes place on a holiday morning, Eaton wasn't sure what kind of turnout to expect …
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
The FishHawk Ranch food pantry has outgrown its space at the Lamb of God Lutheran Church.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- D'Ann White
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Wednesday, October 31, 2012
A food pantry that provides for the area's neediest residents now has a need of its own. The Seeds of Hope food pantry, which previously operated out of Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Lithia, is seeking a new home. The nonprofit food pantry was founded last year by FishHawk Ranch resident Leda Eaton as an offshoot of the community's annual FishHawk Turkey Trot 5K run, which takes place each Thanksgiving Day. "I was looking for a way for my kids to earn meaningful services hours," said Eaton. "They were on the cross-country team at Newsome High School and I remembered turkey trots when I lived in West Virginia so I suggested we do a turkey trot here." That was four years ago. "The first year, I was expecting maybe 100 people. We had 450 and…
Monday, February 6, 2012
The charity was started by a FishHawk Ranch mom intent on collecting diapers for moms too poor to purchase them for their babies.
- VALENTINE'S DAY GUIDE
- D'Ann White
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Monday, February 6, 2012
It was an impromptu conversation with a neighbor in October that got the ball rolling for Debi Rucker. "The neighbor's sister runs the Detroit Area Diaper Bank and he was telling me about the great need for diapers. My heart just went out to this women," said the FishHawk Ranch mother age two, ages 2 and 6. "I've been fortunate. I've never had to struggle to buy diapers for my children. And it broke my heart to think of the mothers out there who can't buy diapers," she said. "It's often overlooked. No one really thinks about the cost of diapers but my eyes were opened to it. Rucker did a bit of research and was astounded to discover there was no diaper bank in Tampa Bay similar to the one in the Detroit area. "So, with the support of my …
Chris Taylor
12:52 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Can't wait! I'll be up early and running in my Patch t-shirt. I'm thrilled this will enable me to eat even more later in the day. :) more ›