​As part of Rotary's "Motivational May" projects, the Rotary Club of Inverness helped Citrus County Blessings with their end-of-year pantry cleanout. At the end of each school year, Blessings need to have an accurate inventory of leftover products for the close of the fiscal budget as well as a thorough check of expiration dates. The Inverness Rotarians, went to 4 off-campus pantries as well as 9 on-campus sites to collect any food leftover from the 2020/2021 school year program. This enormous task also ensures that each pantry will start the next school year with a clean slate of fresh product, as well as allow for deep cleaning of all the pantry spaces. Citrus County Blessings is incredibly thankful for the help of these Rotarians and all of the hard work they put into this project. 

The Democratic Women's Club of Citrus County's (DWCCC) April meeting featured Christina Reed, executive director of Citrus County Blessings, Citrus County Harvest.
In conjunction with the meeting, the club sponsored a food and funds drive for Citrus Blessings. 
Due to the support of their members, they donated 125 pounds of food and $800 in monetary donations. ​

Citrus County Blessings, a local nonprofit dedicated to hunger relief, received a $1,500 grant through The Wawa Foundation.
Wawa staff members have been committed volunteers for Citrus County Blessings through special holiday packings, regular bag packings, and unloading food on delivery day. They also provide nonperishable food donations when available.
“We love having Wawa and the wonderful culture they bring in our community,” said Christina Reed, executive director of Blessings. “They have been so supportive with any request we have made, whether for volunteers or grant opportunities. Even before the store opened, their staff was in our pantry packing bags for our local children in need.”

Genevieve Kennedy’s first memory of charity was when a member of her old youth group asked her dad to buy basic bathroom goods they couldn’t afford.
Seeing a Citrus County neighbor having trouble getting things others might take for granted helped inspire Genevieve to find her own path toward giving back to her community. 
Most recently, the 17-year-old Crystal River High School senior was able to secure a $5,000 donation from Arnie and Diane Ross, of the San Francisco Fund, to be split between the Citrus County Education Foundation (CCEF) and Citrus County Blessings.
Since her freshman year, Genevieve has partnered with Blessings and the CCEF to bring more personal items, food and school supplies closer to children and families who need them.

“These are two great organizations to help volunteer for,” Genevieve said.
CCEF Executive Director Shaunda Burdette and Blessings Executive Director Christina Reed said Genevieve’s selflessness motivates other students to lend their struggling classmates a hand.
“It helps to normalize it, and it helps those students feel more comfortable asking for assistance and receiving that assistance,” Reed said. “The more students we get involved, the better it’s going to be for us.”
“It’s so important to have a voice from the frontline,” Burdette added.
Genevieve is the chair of the Blessings board of directors’ high school student representative group for the nonprofit.

​Reed and Burdette said Genevieve’s ability to provide aid without expressing a hint of judgement is invaluable when it comes to building a relationship between those unconfident or unsure to ask for assistance.
“There’s integrity and trust there so students an adults will come to her if they have needs,” Burdette said, “and that’s what sets her apart from other school leaders — her compassion without judgement.”
Florida Southern College accepted Genevieve into its bachelors of nursing program for next fall.
Genevieve — a two-time semifinalist of the FHSAA Swimming and Diving State Championships for Class 2A — said she might get into the pool to compete for her next school.
Burdette and Reed said nonprofits countywide are uniting to coordinate their array of services and target those most vulnerable during the COVID-19 era.
“We’re definitely doing a whole lot more than we ever knew we could,” Burdette said. “There’s always a need that’s out there for us.”
With each endeavor the organizations take to meet growing and varied demands, Citrus County is right behind them.
“It’s just been amazing,” Reed said. “Our numbers are rising, but our needs are being met.”

Members of the organization VFW hold a long-standing history of volunteerism in their communities. Not only have they served their country, but they continue to serve their fellow veterans, families, and communities. On Tuesday, September 29th, they celebrated "VFW Day" and presented Citrus County Blessings with a check for $500 in support of our programs. Post 10087 and it's members have been generous advocates for Citrus County Blessings for the past 4 years. We appreciate their support and service to our country. ​