Our volunteers were at it again at the strawberry festival this year. They helped out at the auditorium and Gate 2. They were directing festival goers and selling delicious Ferris Farms Strawberries. Thank you to the "Best Volunteers Ever"!

For the past two years, Inverness Elks Lodge 2522 has used the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to make a $2,000 donation to this local charity.
Approximately 72 percent of children enrolled in Citrus County’s public schools participate in the free/reduced lunch program. Of those 72 percent, 69 percent qualify for free lunch and 3 percent qualify for reduced-price lunch.
The Blessings program provides 1,900 local students in 28 schools with six meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner for two days) to take home every Friday of the school year.

The students are also given additional food to take home over the school breaks. Each child is recommended by a school employee. Students’ identities are protected and their names are only released to staff and key volunteers.
The Blessings program utilizes two staff members and more than 900 volunteers each month to transport pallets, pack bags and deliver the food to the schools.
Executive Director Christina Reed and program coordinator Rachel Garret-Butler also have the Inverness Elks put together a regular volunteer team to help out on the first Wednesday morning of every month during the school year.
Reed, Garret-Butler and Elks past president Richard Grosnick have worked together tirelessly to provide support to Citrus County Blessings.

Jack and Ida King were named Family of the Month for September by St. Scholastica Knights of Columbus Council 14485.
In 2015, Jack devised and implemented the St. John Paul II scholarship fund with the help of Roger Preble. He has also served as chancellor of the council and chairman of the admissions committee.
Jack has advanced to membership in the patriotic degree in the Knights of Columbus and is a member of Father James Hoge Assembly 1547 in Lecanto. He is a member of the Color Corp in the assembly.
For the past 10 years, Jack has volunteered on a weekly basis providing maintenance and other services as needed at Daystar Life Center. He also volunteers with the Citrus County Blessings when needed, delivering food and performing special projects.
Jack served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1970 and served aboard the USS Lexington as a boiler tender.
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After a hiatus in 2020, due to COVID19, the annual Blessings Ball was back on October 22nd, 2021. This was a great opportunity to bring the community together for dancing, dressing up and most importantly, helping to feed kids in need. Keep you eyes on our social media and website for the 7th Annual Blessings Ball date and theme!

The U.S. Family Foundation recently presented Citrus County Blessings with a check for $30,000. This contribution was made in honor of June Grant, who established an endowment for the educational needs of those youth most in need of assistance.
Citrus County Blessing’s is an organization established to fight childhood food insecurity. They are currently providing food each weekend of the school year for more than 1,850 children in need.
“With program growth and the addition of area preschools, the generous donation ensures our program’s sustainability,'' Citrus County Blessings executive director Christina Reed said.
“The U.S. Family Foundation has generously supported us over the years and we are thankful to have them looking out for our community and programs that help support those in need,” Reed added.


In 2021 the U.S. Family Foundation has provided more than $4.5 million in donations, with $1.5 million going directly to Citrus County charities. 
For more information on how to establish a permanent endowment for Citrus County Blessings, visit usfamilyfoundation.com.
The Blessings program is community funded. It relies on donations from individuals, businesses, churches, civic groups and foundations.