Blessings Program
A staggering 72% of children enrolled in Citrus County’s public schools participate in the Free/Reduced lunch program. Of those 72%, 69% qualify for free lunch.
The Blessings program provides 2,100 local students in 28 schools with 6 meals 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, their names only released to staff and key volunteers.
The Blessings program utilizes two staff members and over 900 volunteers each month to transport pallets, pack bags and deliver the food to the schools.
The Blessings program provides 2,100 local students in 28 schools with 6 meals 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, their names only released to staff and key volunteers.
The Blessings program utilizes two staff members and over 900 volunteers each month to transport pallets, pack bags and deliver the food to the schools.
How Can You Help?
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Donate Food! Donate non-perishable, single-serving food that is in a safe, easy to open package. Keep in mind that some of these children may not have the luxury of a can opener, utensils, a refrigerator or a microwave, with which to cook or eat these meals. Examples of food items acceptable to donate are listed below. |
*A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.
Acceptable Food Items
Breakfast
Single serve cereal bowls or boxes Pop-Tarts Granola or Cereal bars |
Meat
Vienna Sausages Tuna in a pouch / can Potted meat |
Snacks
Crackers (Peanut Butter and Cheese) Pudding Cups |
Fruit
Fruit Cups Apple sauce Raisins |
Entree
Spaghetti O’s Ravioli Frank & Beans (Beanie Weenies) |
Drinks
Water bottles Juice box / bag Capri Sun |
Items sent home monthly when available
Peanut Butter Jelly |
Drop off food donations to any of the locations listed below.
BEVERLY HILLSCRYSTAL RIVERRegions Bank
6730 W Gulf to Lake Hwy Crystal River, FL Suncoast Credit Union 517 NE 5th St Crystal River, FL West Citrus Government Center 1540 N. Meadowcrest Blvd. Crystal River, FL |
FLORAL CITYHERNANDOHOMOSASSA |
INVERNESSAnytime Fitness
345 E Highland Blvd. Inverness, FL 34452 Citrus County Tax Collector 210 N Apopka Ave Inverness, FL Landmark Realty 311 W Main St. Inverness, FL Suncoast Credit Union 2367 E Gulf to Lake Hwy. Inverness, FL LECANTODiamond Ridge Health & Rehab
2730 W. Marc Knighton Ct. Lecanto, FL Lifecare 3325 W Jerwayne Ln. Lecanto, FL |
Florida’s Good Samaritan Law, adopted by the Florida State Legislature in 1898, is designed with the intent of protecting all donors of food to the needy.