Salvation Army begins free lunch program in Dade City - Tampa Bay Times

Who says there is no such thing as a free lunch? The Salvation Army has started a Brown Bag Lunch program at their Dade City service center. They are currently providing the free lunch once a week, but may expand the program to daily, if they receive enough support. The lunch consists of a sandwich, a piece of fruit, and a bottle of water.

Donations of food or money can be brought to the Salvation Army service center at 14445 Seventh St. in Dade City. Organizer Dennis Klinger said he needs fruit for the lunches most. For more information, click on the link below.

Salvation Army begins free lunch program in Dade City - Tampa Bay Times

Apply NOW for Salvation Army Christmas Assistance Program

Applications are being accepted through Friday, November 11 for the Salvation Army Christmas Assistance Program. The program provides a holiday food box to adults and a food box and/or Christmas toys to families with children. All applicants must provide the following: a valid driver's license or state-issued ID, a Social Security card for all family members, birth certificates if a child's last name is not the same as the applicant's, guardianship papers if the applicant is a child's appointed guardian, proof of income, and proof of Pasco County residency. For information, call Jean Coulter at (727) 847-6321, ext. 101.

Holiday Help

If you are in need of assistance this holiday season, there are several community organizations you can contact for help.  Below are a few of the community organizations offering holiday help this year:

Boxes of Joy
Joining Hands Community Mission
3214 US Highway 19
Holiday, FL 34690
(727) 937-3268 - Ask for Nancy
Provides toys for children and needed personal items for adults.  Proof of West Pasco residency and meet poverty guidelines for eligibility.

Toys for Tots
Countywide
Christmas programs provided through the Marine Corps with DCF clients.  Eligible candidates must be current clients with the Department of Children & Families and submit an application to the DCF office.

Christmas Assistance
Salvation Army of West Pasco
8040 Washington St.
Port Richey, FL 34668
(727) 847-6321
Anyone in need of services who meets income guidelines.  Call for more information.

Thanks for Giving

It's the holiday season, and already the Salvation Army bell ringers have taken up their posts outside some of our local stores.  Metropolitan Ministries has put up their donation tents here and there, and soon we will be seeing Angel Trees fully stocked with ornaments, each one representing a needy child's Christmas wish list.

This is the season of giving, but, especially in today's economy, people need assistance year-round.  One very successful food drive can keep a food pantry stocked with nonperishable items for 4-6 months.  Consider holding an ongoing food donation drive at your church or place of business.  The United Way of Pasco County has promotional materials you can use to advertise your food drive.  Click here for more information.

Whether its dropping some change in the Salvation Army bucket when you go shopping, picking up a prepackaged donation bag at Publix, or contributing to Toys for Tots or Metropolitan Ministries, please remember your fellow human beings this holiday season and year-round.  Thanks for giving.