By Kyle LoJacono
Last year, the Eastside 8 Rotary clubs helped 300 needy families have a special holiday dinner and additional support will allow them to do much more in 2010.
The eight Rotary clubs on the east side of Pasco County came together last winter to make food bags that were distributed through the public elementary and middle schools to those who most need them.
“We first decided to do this because we thought we could help a few kids, but the more we’ve gotten into it, the more people we learned need this kind of help,” said Randy Gailit, Land O’ Lakes club board member. “You think in a place like our community you’re immune to poverty, but that is just not true.”
In fact, 53 percent of the children in county public schools receive free or reduced priced lunches, according to Pasco School District spokeswoman Summer Romagnoli. These are the children who are given the food baskets.
“One of the things that I like about the program is it helps the kids while keeping it kind of anonymous,” said Ben Alexander, president-elect of the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel. “We give the food to the schools and they get it to the kids who need it the most just before they leave for the winter break. We’re pretty sure the schools are only going to give it to the families that need it.”
The food in the bags will mainly be nonperishable items like canned ham and vegetables, boxed mashed potatoes and cereal. There will be enough food to feed a family of five for a couple of nights.
Gailit said the groups first decided to join together in the effort because of having strength in numbers. They are able to pool their resources and buy in bulk, allowing them to buy the food at a discounted rate.
The Eastside 8 put together 300 food baskets last holiday season and matched that number before the summer break earlier this year. The group’s actions have been deemed worthy enough for a $3,000 grant from Rotary International, according to Gailit. Each basket cost about $11, so the donation will allow the Eastside 8 to almost double their food gifts.
Also donating to the cause is Wade Thomas, owner of Thomas and Son car dealership in Zephyrhills. Thomas is giving $1,000 for the drive as a way to support the community his business has served for more than 40 years.
“I’ve always believed in helping people and this is a great way to make sure the kids get help,” Thomas said. “I’ve done it before, but was only able to help 40 or so families. With Rotary, we can help 100 families right here in Zephyrhills. We think it’s just the right thing to do.”
Thomas also encourages others to give to the drive.
“It doesn’t matter if you give $1 or $1,000 as long as it is going to the right place,” Thomas said.
Gailit said right now the group has enough money to make about 700 food bags, but the goal is to help 1,000 families.
“Anyone who wants to help should get in touch with us,” Gailit said. “We will be packing up the food on Saturday, Dec. 18 at Shepard Park in Zephyrhills, so we’d need the donations before then say by Wednesday the 15.”
The food will be given to the area schools later in the week. For more information on the food drive or the Eastside 8, visit www.rotaryeastside8.com. From there, people can contact their local group to make donations.
