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Food Bank To Expand Kids Against Hunger Drive

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: October 8, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Many West Pasco residents might be nervous about the Wall Street meltdown and government bailout, but at least they still have food on the table.

Others are not so fortunate, according to Martha O'Brien, assistant chief executive officer at the Volunteer Way food bank. So the next Kids Against Hunger food drive is expanding this year.

About 150 people a day are seeking free food at the organization at 7820 Congress St., according to Martha O'Brien, assistant CEO of Volunteer Way.

The 15-year-old nonprofit group is straining to keep up with the demand. Volunteer Way is assisting about 17,000 low-income and homeless households each month, along with supplying more than 70 charities and food pantries, according to O'Brien.

"Kids Against Hunger food drive will cover more houses than ever before," O'Brien said in a press release. Volunteers go door to door and block by block to collect donations of food or money.

"We encourage families to sign up" for the food drive, O'Brien said. It's a perfect mission for church groups, social groups or businesses.

Flyers describing the food drive will be distributed in each neighborhood in advance by volunteers, she explained.

On collection day, teams of volunteers will go door to door to collect the food and monetary donations, which will then be brought to the Volunteer Way food bank.

All the funds and food collected here will stay here to benefit West Pasco residents, O'Brien emphasized.

The Volunteer Way is seeking donations of nonperishable food, diapers, or cash contributions. All donations are tax deductable.

Individual donations can also be dropped off at the food bank, 7820 Congress St., New Port Richey.

Other drop-off sites for donations include:

•Stop and Play at 10933 U.S. 19, Port Richey.

•Palm Harbor Physical Therapy, 8351 S.R. 54, Suite 101, New Port Richey.

•Wachovia Bank at the corner of S.R. 54 and Madison, New Port Richey.

•Chiary's Boxing Club, 5910 Pine Hill Road, Port Richey.

For information, call Volunteer Way at 727-815-0433 or send an e-mail to O'Brien at martha@thevolunteerway.org. Or go online to www.thevolunteerway.org>.

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