Food Drive Generates Donations Valued Over $2,000

Community Businesses Gather Food for Local Students

Businesses and citizens in Wesley Chapel, Florida came together to donate over $2,000 worth of food to support local elementary students in need during the 2018-2019 school year. A Stock-the-Pantry food drive, hosted by and benefiting Full Circle Food Outreach, was held the entire month of July. Several local businesses throughout the community participated as drop-off locations, including NYE Commercial Advisors, New Tampa Chiropractic & Injury Center, Carmel Friendship Church, My Gym New Tampa, Faith Baptist Church and Premier Gymnastics.

On Saturday, July 28th, the generous donations were displayed at a Stock-the-Pantry party held at the Country Walk Clubhouse in Wesley Chapel. Local residents stopped by to enjoy snacks, socialize and participate in family friendly events. Raffle tickets sold generated another $250 in donations and raffle items included a Chuy’s Dinner for Two certificate donated by Chuy’s, a girl’s Huffy cruiser bike from an individual donor and a 2 night condo stay in Northwest Florida donated by the Nathan Abbott Team at ResortQuest Real Estate.

Pasco County Fire and Rescue Station 16 firefighters joined the event and gave a wonderful presentation, showing attendees trucks and apparatus and talked about their work. Kona Ice of Wesley Chapel gave free size upgrades for anyone who brought food donation to the party.

Food and donations generated from the food drive and party are being used to fill weekly food bags provided to local elementary school who are dependent on free or reduced school meals, or identified by school staff as food insecure. Students enrolled in Full Circle Food Outreach’s program receive a bag filled with two breakfasts, two lunches and snacks – food that replaces what they receive during a school day – each Friday during the school year. The benefits of the program are long-lasting. Hunger has a direct link to a child’s ability to learn. Studies show that nourished children experience less anxiety, reduced absenteeism, improved attention span, higher academic performance, and increased self-esteem.

With support from wonderful local businesses and citizens in Wesley Chapel and surrounding areas, Full Circle Food Outreach plans to serve more students and schools each year.

Full Circle Food Outreach, Inc is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization based in Wesley Chapel, Florida that provides bags filled with healthy, easy to prepare food for students who are dependent on free or reduced school meals. Their mission is to remove the negative impacts of hunger, and empower a child to get the most out of their education and development by providing them weekly access to healthy, easy to prepare meals. Currently serving two schools in Wesley Chapel, Full Circle plans to continue expanding and serving more students in need with continued community support. Details about their programs and services can be found at www.FullCircleFoodOutreach.org