The Board of Directors are continuing the follow-up visits to the 2021 grant recipients. Two directors, Bill Bach and Roy Munnelly, visited Meals on Wheels of North Port to meet the volunteers, tour the facility, and confirm that the funds are being spent as stated.
While the Meals on Wheels’ one-room facility is relatively small, it looked to be a model of efficiency. In a short time, the food came out of the kitchen, was packaged, sorted by route, and loaded into the volunteer drivers’ vehicles for delivery. That day alone they provided nutritious meals to over 100 residents of North Port who are unable to prepare a meal for themselves. This equated to over 700 meals per week. The director of the service indicated volunteers are always needed to deliver the meals.
Speaking of food, a check was presented to All Faiths Food Bank in the amount of $15,340. Directors Joe O’Connor, Deanne Siddal, Nick Cippola, and Roy Munnelly visited the food bank and delivered the proceeds raised during the “Food Fund Drive” held in March. Thanks again to the Services Committee and the generous residents of Heron Creek, those citizens of North Port in need of food can be served.
Holly Loos and Bill Bay visited the SPARCC housing facility in Sarasota. Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center is a nine-time grant recipient of the Foundation. The 2021 grant of $5,100 will cover the costs of maintaining their North Port office in the North Port Family Service Center. This provides accessibility of services to citizens of North Port who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. Legal services are now available at the office and clients can meet with the attorney
there.
A portion of the grant also supports the housing facility that provides emergency shelter for victims. There they receive needed services to protect them from harm and restore them to self-sufficiency. Services may include supportive counseling, food, clothing, legal services, safety planning, transportation, and referral to other private or public services. Holly and Bill were impressed with how clean and welcoming the shelter is. It can house approximately 30 residents and there are separate wings for families and singles.
An additional funding source of SPARCC is their Treasure Chest Resale Store located on Fruitville Road in Sarasota. All proceeds of the sale of clothing, jewelry, furniture, and accessories go to funding SPARCC programs and services. If interested in donating items or shopping, visit their site “SPARCC Treasure Chest” on Facebook.
If not already a member, learn more about the Foundation the grant recipients, and get the latest information by visiting the website at: heroncreekfoundation.org.
