SEE OUR
LOCAL CHURCH DIRECTORY Vol. 26 | Iss. 2 | Feb. 2022
INSIDE ...
MANNA ON WHEELS ROLLING INTO 2022 WITH RENEWED HOPE & CONTINUED PROGRAMS
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By Kelly Wise Valdes
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Columns: Grace Notes: Hooked On Books: Faith & Footprints: News From The Wire:
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The past few years 20 ministries. These have been very chalare remarkable stalenging for many peotistics despite the ple in the community. fact that MOW was Between illnesses, the unable to host its aneconomy and other of nual food drives. life’s many roadblocks, “Because of many people find themCOVID-19 we were selves in need for the not able to have our first time. Among those annual food drives or affected are ministries outreaches last year,” and nonprofits. The exsaid Buddy. “So, this act people that are tryyear, our prayer is to ing to help the people in feed in smaller groups need, often find themof people by feeding selves in need as well. those that are hungry Local, longtime feeding and as always share outreach ministry Manthe gospel of Jesus na on Wheels (MOW) Buddy and Jane Bass started Manna on Wheels (MOW) in 2006 in order to feed the hungry Christ.” and spread the word of God’s love. MOW is actively seeking businesses willing to host a food is no exception. In MOW is looking for drive as well as volunteers to assist with its feeding ministry. 2006, Buddy Bass local businesses or and his wife, Jane, started Manna than 10 lbs., which is sometimes dif- organizations that would be willing on Wheels, a mobile kitchen ministry ficult while still running MOW. Jane, to organize a food drive to keep the that provides a hot meal to families, along with the board of directors and shelves of MOW stocked. children and people in need in Dover a few volunteers, have kept MOW “We give out food all year to those running smoothly during this time. and the surrounding areas. in need not just at Thanksgiving and “We’ve picked up two more minis- Christmas,” said Buddy. “Any gift “We were not able to have our antries we help weekly: Bread of Ref- would be greatly appreciated. We are nual outreaches and also lost most of our volunteers,” said Buddy. “We uge, which feeds the homeless in a 501(c)(3) ministry, and all donahad totally renovated our kitchen on Brandon twice daily and provides tions are tax deductible.” wheels and were gearing up to start food boxes daily to those in need and, If you are interested in becoming back feeding the homeless and those most importantly, shares the gospel a monthly supporter of Manna on in need like we did when we first of Jesus Christ,” said Bass. “The sec- Wheels, interested in helping orgaond ministry is Victor Newman Min- nize a food drive or if you are a stustarted Manna back in 2006.” Unfortunately, Buddy suffered a istries, who also feeds, provide needs, dent in need of volunteer or communiback injury in October 2021, which educates and shares the gospel.” ty service hours, MOW is an available In 2021, MOW received 125,598 resource. For more information, visit required extensive surgery. He spent 12 days in the hospital and continues lbs. of perishable and nonperishable www.mannaonwheels.org or reach with physical therapy. Because of food and distributed 97,437 lbs. of Buddy Bass at 767-5708 or jbass@ this, he cannot lift anything heavier perishable and nonperishable food to mannaonwheels.org.
GRANT WRITERS NEEDED FOR NEW TRUCK FOR OUR LADY’S PANTRY Staff Report
According to Feeding Tampa Bay, many of our neighbors are not just food insecure, they are nutrition insecure, meaning that the availability and affordability of foods that promote well-being and prevent or treat disease are not accessible to them. Without access, their long-term health hangs in the balance. Our Lady’s Pantry provides fresh fruits and vegetables and other nutrient-rich foods to our clients every Saturday morning between 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. Pantry volunteers are driving almost every day of the week picking up food from all over the county. Food is purchased from Feeding Tampa Bay and is donated by ALDI, Big Lots, Costco, Panera, Publix, Sam’s Club, Save A Lot, Winn-Dixie and others. “We are wearing our two trucks out,” said Director Tom Bullaro. “Our oldest truck is a 2006 model with more than 260,000 miles and is expensive to maintain.” “We need a new refrigerated truck. Both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Feeding Tampa Bay require that food be transported in a
Our Lady’s Pantry is in need of a new truck.
refrigerated truck, which is why a new truck is so expensive. We are looking at about $99,000,” he added. According to Bullaro, the pantry already has $30,000 thanks to the generosity of the com-
munity and a number of clubs and philanthropic organizations—so roughly $70,000 to go. Bullaro asks for a few folks to come forward and help write grants for the balance of these monies. He will meet with you to share all the information you need to write these grants, so no worries, you won’t be alone. Applications must be submitted electronically, however, so you do need to be comfortable working on a computer. “If you have any interest in writing grants for us and wish to learn more, please email me at tom@ourladyspantry.com,” said Bullaro. “Please include your email address and phone number in your message. We shall schedule a meeting later this month to answer your questions and give you all the information you need. Thanks so much for considering.” Our Lady’s Pantry is located just south of Sun City Center Blvd. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Migrant Mission, located at 16650 S. U.S. Hwy. 301 in Wimauma. To learn more about Our Lady’s Pantry, please visit www.ourladyspantry.com.