• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices
    • Browse Notices
    • Place Notices

Pasco rejects Feeding Tampa Bay’s request to help fund building

August 16, 2022 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission has decided that a quarter-million-dollar expenditure would be better spent on helping to feed the county’s food-insecure elderly than for helping to pay for a food storage facility in neighboring Hillsborough County.

Pasco board members previously discussed a $250,000 budget recommendation to help support the Feeding Tampa Bay project during a budget presentation. The proposed allocation would earmark $125,000 a year, for two years, to support the outside agency.

Commissioner Mike Moore raised objections to the proposal.

He balked at using Pasco County taxpayer funds for a capital project in another county.

Moore also warned colleagues that approving the request could trigger requests from a parade of organizations seeking support for projects outside of Pasco County.

No action was taken during the previous discussion, but the issue was part of the board’s Aug. 9 agenda.

Brian Hoben, the county’s director of community services, provided an overview of the county’s home-delivered meal program for food-insecure elderly.

Hoben said there are 411 people currently on the waitlist for that program.

The number fluctuates as new people qualify for the service and current clients die, move into a facility or move away from the county, Hoben said.

Each delivered meal costs $8.01, Hobel said.

Providing one meal a day for a year costs $2,916, Hoben said. To eliminate the current waiting list would cost $1,198,328, based on current costs. Those costs would be recurring, once the client joins the list.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano attended the Aug. 9 meeting to inform the board that Feeding Tampa Bay had sold a building, on Ehren Cutoff, that initially was paid for with taxpayer funds.

Fasano, a former state lawmaker and a board member on Feeding Pasco’s Elderly, told the board that he helped secure funds to build the original food bank building on Ehren Cutoff.

That food bank later gave the building to another food bank, which then gave the building to Feeding Tampa Bay, Fasano said.

Then, Feeding Tampa Bay sold the building to a private company for $890,000, Fasano said.

“I’d love to know where that money went,” Fasano said.

“Just think of how many people we could have fed in Pasco County. How many seniors we could have taken off that waiting list,” Fasano said.

Pasco County Property Appraiser Mike Wells, a former county commissioner, also is on Feeding Pasco’s Elderly board. He told the county board that $125,000 for the next two years would feed 42 seniors who are on the waitlist for services.

Moore said he would not have objected to Feeding Tampa Bay’s request, if it had been for a specific number of meals that would be provided to Pasco residents.

But Moore added: “There’s no way in the world I’m ever going to say yes to a capital project in another county that’s going to provide services that aren’t going to benefit the citizens of Pasco County.”

Commissioner Ron Oakley agreed: “I shouldn’t be paying for their infrastructure in another county. I want to help the citizens in Pasco County. I will do everything I can to help our citizens before I send money to build a building in another county,” Oakley said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano said that when Feeding Tampa Bay was making the decision to sell the building on Ehren Cutoff, the county should have been notified.

“As far as I’m concerned at this point, we made a $890,000 donation. I think we’ve made our contribution,” Mariano said.

Instead of contributing the funds to Feeding Tampa Bay, Moore said they should be earmarked for Feeding Pasco’s Elderly efforts or the county’s senior services.

His colleagues agreed.

Published August 17, 2022

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

6 Reasons to Consider Remodeling your Bathroom with CMK Construction

March 21, 2023 By Kelli Carmack

Have you wanted to remodel your bathroom for a while now, but need that little extra push to make your decision? Check … [Read More...] about 6 Reasons to Consider Remodeling your Bathroom with CMK Construction

Avalon Applauds African American Club of Pasco

March 7, 2023 By Kelli Carmack

One of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel’s main missions is being a champion for culture. “Celebrating culture is a vital … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds African American Club of Pasco

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

03/22/2023 – Florida Landscaping

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host “Florida-Friendly Landscaping 101” on March 22 at 2 p.m. Participants can learn how to create a successful home landscape by following the nine Florida-Friendly program principles. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 03/22/2023 – Florida Landscaping

03/23/2023 – Betmar Chorus

The Betmar Chorus will perform its annual Spring Concert on March 22 at 2 p.m., and on March 23 and March 24 at 7 p.m., at Betmar Acres, 37145 Lakewood Drive, Clubhouse 2, in Zephyrhills. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The choir will perform a variety of show tunes, hymns, spirituals and classics. Tickets will be available at the door for $5. For information, all 810-837-0520. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Betmar Chorus

03/23/2023 – Free Food Distribution

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Farm Share, Veteran’s Memorial Park, the Gentlemen’s Course, Samaritan Corporation of Pasco County Inc., and the Pasco County NAACP will team up for a free community food distribution on March 23 at Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Road in Hudson. The food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis from 9 a.m., until the items run out. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Free Food Distribution

03/23/2023 – Paint with Puppies

B Creative Painting Studio, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 103, in Wesley Chapel will host “Paint with Puppies” on March 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in support of the Mercy Full Project. Guests can get creative and cuddle with puppies. Only 50 spots available. An RSVP and $5 deposit is required online at tinyurl.com/PaintWithPuppy. Balance will be due at the event. The total cost of $50 includes a dog bowl, paint, glaze and fire of the bowl. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Paint with Puppies

03/23/2023 – Puzzle Club

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a Puzzle Club on March 23 at 4:45 p.m., for ages 18 and older. Bring some friends. Puzzles will be provided. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Puzzle Club

03/25/2023 – America is Awesome

Lucas, Macysyzn & Dyer, Injury Lawyers and the Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Community Foundation will host an “America is Awesome Celebration” on March 25 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 9426 Little Road in New Port Richey. The event will include live music from 5 Shades of Grey and Southbound 75; fireworks; a DJ dance party, silent auction; raffles; 50/50; car show, food and drink; and more. All proceeds will benefit K9 for Partners and local law enforcement. General admission is free. VIP tickets are available. Donations for parking will be accepted. For information, visit America is Awesome Celebration on Facebook. … [Read More...] about 03/25/2023 – America is Awesome

More of What's Happening

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2023 Community News Publications Inc.

   
%d bloggers like this: