FOOD PANTRY CELEBRATES PERMANENT HOME
LONG HISTORY, IMPRESSIVE PROGRAMS
2025 April 13
On April 13, at 2 pm, well over one hundred supporters heralded the success of the Cedar Key Food Pantry at its location on State Road 24 in Cedar Key.
BJ O’Brien and husband Tim were on site early to help people park their vehicles or ferry in golf carts the from their autos to the Pantry itself. The Cedar Key Police Department kept everyone and the area safe and vehicles flowing.Mike and Mary Peterson’s Cedar Key-tailored tunes wafted about the liquor-less mimosas (orange juice and sparkling water) and ricotta-based, light cheesecake. The Petersons’ music punctuated the perfect 75-degree temperature, light breeze, cloudless sky that prompted many to say what a perfect day to celebrate such a meaningful occurrence.
Pantry volunteers Monica MacKay and Melanie Black were delighted to talk about the flourishing success of their work at the Pantry, managing the donations table. All sorts of donations come to the Pantry, and, after processing them, Monica and Melanie display and offer them to visitors. Everything from pots, pans, socks, clothes, alarm clocks, radios, blankets, to cookers and televisions are put to new use in another, more needful person’s home.
Levy County Superintendent of Schools Tammy Boyle and her husband and Cedar Key Commissioner and Community Redevelopment Agency Jim Wortham and his wife enjoyed the celebration. Wortham noted the “Pantry is such an amazing accomplishment for this community.”
THE PROGRAM
Pantry Director Sue Colson moderated the brief program. Her special guests were recognized and presented with a certificate of appreciation for their part in the Pantry’s genesis.
Pantry Director Sue Colson moderated the brief program. Her special guests were recognized and presented with a certificate of appreciation for their part in the Pantry’s genesis.
HISTORY
Mr. and Mrs. William DeLaino began the Pantry in 2002; Mrs. DeLaino accepted the certificate. Mr. and Mrs. David Beach managed the Pantry next; Mrs. Donna Beach accepted the certificate. Bill and Verna Brown, the Children’s Table operators and close collaborators with the Cedar Key Food Pantry, were also presented with a certificate of appreciation.
Mr. and Mrs. William DeLaino began the Pantry in 2002; Mrs. DeLaino accepted the certificate. Mr. and Mrs. David Beach managed the Pantry next; Mrs. Donna Beach accepted the certificate. Bill and Verna Brown, the Children’s Table operators and close collaborators with the Cedar Key Food Pantry, were also presented with a certificate of appreciation.
On the telephone, complete with screenshots, was the person who donated the property on State Road 24, complete with the building, to the Food Pantry, Kim Whitney. Very much a part of the ceremony, Whitney’s words included, “Keep doing what you are doing!”
PROGRAMS
Assistant Pantry Director Phil Prescott recounted the catastrophe of Hurricane Idalia and the generous donations that came to the pantry in its aftermath. So abundant were the donations that Seacoast Bank opened a special account for anyone, nearly anywhere, to donate to the Pantry. The bank itself, noted Prescott, made a substantial donation to the storm-battered community.
Assistant Pantry Director Phil Prescott recounted the catastrophe of Hurricane Idalia and the generous donations that came to the pantry in its aftermath. So abundant were the donations that Seacoast Bank opened a special account for anyone, nearly anywhere, to donate to the Pantry. The bank itself, noted Prescott, made a substantial donation to the storm-battered community.
Not wasting time with that money in the bank, the Pantry Board of Directors then wrote checks to individuals in need, with no questions asked beyond, “What do you need?” Nearly $100,000 flowed to families in need from the Pantry’s account.
Board Member Lisa Custer spoke about the Pantry’s Empower Program. This program is designed to assist anyone trying to improve his lot. The program has funded fees for welding school tuition, CBL licenses, college classes, gas cards to get to school off island, nursing assistant classes, and more.
PANTRY, A CENTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
The Pantry also claims regular partnerships with a host of other services whose purposes are to better lives.
The Levy Health Department focuses on women’s health and mental health issues,
Another Way focusing on interrupted families,
Meridian Health focusing upon general health and the aged
Lions Club focusing on eye health,
Cedar Key Vets focus upon any kind of assistance vets and the community needs.
Cite but a few.
The Pantry also claims regular partnerships with a host of other services whose purposes are to better lives.
The Levy Health Department focuses on women’s health and mental health issues,
Another Way focusing on interrupted families,
Meridian Health focusing upon general health and the aged
Lions Club focusing on eye health,
Cedar Key Vets focus upon any kind of assistance vets and the community needs.
Cite but a few.
AN ASTONISHING ACCOMPLISHMENT
Pantry Director Sue Colson might say: “Only with a firm, solid base, generous donations, complimentary partnerships, and eager volunteers could the Cedar Key Food Pantry become such a success.”
Others might say: “In addition to all those critical elements, leadership is the key to the Pantry’s success.”
Pantry Director Sue Colson might say: “Only with a firm, solid base, generous donations, complimentary partnerships, and eager volunteers could the Cedar Key Food Pantry become such a success.”
Others might say: “In addition to all those critical elements, leadership is the key to the Pantry’s success.”
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