Also gives $3,000 to help offset freight costs for 10 trucks
By Marcia Stone
Special to The Laker/Lutz News
LAND O’ LAKES – Hundreds of nudists in Pasco and north Hillsborough counties donated food valued at $36,000 over the holidays to the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank.
In addition, nudists also donated $3,000 towards the freight cost of 10 trucks and 22 pallets of food.
Spearheading the drive was the Pasco Area Naturist Development Association (PANDA), whose members solicited food and money from the area’s full-time and seasonal nudists, as well as visitors to the Pasco’s nudist resorts.
“This money couldn’t have come at a better time,” says Elizabeth Fields, executive director of Suncoast Harvest Food Bank. “We always need canned goods and non-perishables and diapers.
“Our mission is simple — to end hunger in our community. The middle class who are losing their homes sometimes don’t qualify for food stamps and our the neediest right now.”
The food bank supplies nutritious food, household, personal care items and paper products to over 150 charitable feeding programs serving low-income and poverty stricken people in our service area.”
In addition to supporting the food bank, PANDA members do other charity work, supporting blood drives, toy donations, giving to Support Our Troops and assisting nudists who have health or family problems and no where else to turn.
“Last year PANDA donated 51 panda bear stuffed animals to Christian Social Services in Pasco that were given to needy children for Valentine’s Day. This is just an example of our donation program and shows the generosity of the naturist community here in Pasco,” said Paul Brenot, president of PANDA.
“Our grassroots, all-volunteer organization has set out to encourage family values and seeks to make our friends, neighbors and local residents aware of the nudist lifestyle in a positive way,” Brenot added. “Nudists are a very giving group.”
Pasco County has 15 nudist communities, including Lake Como, Caliente, The Woods, Paradise Pines and Paradise Lakes, all in Land O’ Lakes, and City Retreats and Gulf Coast Resort in Hudson. These communities offer luxury resorts, RV parks, single-family-home subdivisions for nudists and mobile homes, said Brenot.
How you can help:
Suncoast Harvest Food Bank accepts donations of all kinds. From cash to food donations to items for Clara’s Closet Thrift Store (antiques, furniture in serviceable condition, clothing, household items, etc.) to automobiles and boats (must be in operating condition. Boats must be seaworthy). “We can arrange to pick-up your donated household items. Please contact us at 813-929-0200if you have items to donate. If you do not want to make an online donation, you can always mail a check or money order.”
Suncoast Harvest Food Bank
5829 Ehren Cutoff
Land O Lakes, FL 34639-3423
(813) 929-0200
www.suncoastharvest.org
