Story by Mary Krol

Operating despite the countless problems facing the world, our country, the state, and Citrus County, a
small, grass roots organization is facing challenges and problems head on and succeeding.

Each Thursday, rain or shine, a small army of dedicated volunteers arrive as early as 4 a.m. at the
parking lot at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 439 East Norvell Bryant Highway
Hernando, FL 34442. Thier mission is to put food into boxes that will then be placed in the cars of the needy.

SOS Food Bank prides itself in the fact that in spite of the many hurdles they have had to overcome, not the least of which was the almost two-year battle with the pandemic, they never missed a week, always serving with compassion and smiles!

They are the first to admit that they cannot do this alone.

It Takes a Village to Help those in Need

Many organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Daughters of the King, Realtors, Black Diamond Foundation, Thrivent, Agape House, civic organizations, and others too numerous to name, have stepped up to give a helping hand with monetary donations and fund raisers.

Besides help from several other churches in the area, SOS Food Bank could not exist without the generosity and support of Good Shepherd for the use of their parking lot and facilities. In addition,
this congregation gives freely with their time, food, and monetary donations.

There are countless other ways private individuals help out as well, and we are so very grateful.

We recently participated in a warm clothing drive and our president; Maria Cyr remarked “we now have
some of the warmest, best dressed clients in Citrus County!”

Each week, SOS also donates food to several volunteers who feed the homeless on Saturday mornings at Lake Hernando. Our clients have become our friends and family. Hence, it is not unusual to offer extra help to in the form of relating job opportunities, referring to other service organizations, medical, dental, insurance and housing agencies.

SOS Food Bank seeks to Help Short and Long-Term

In other words, the people who come to us for a handout can receive a helping hand as well.

Operating like a well–oiled machine, SOS, Inc is a 501(c)3 not for profit equal opportunity provider, that
distributed almost 600 thousand pounds of food to nearly 23,000 people in 2021.

Its hours of operation are Thursdays from 8:30-10:30 a.m. The pantry is always in need of able-bodied volunteers that, in some instances, may be asked to lift over 50 pounds, or perhaps just have good organizational skills and a desire to serve the community.

SOS can be reached online at SOS4FOOD@gmail.com, or by mail at PO Box 640774, Beverly Hills, FL 34464. Come join us or help in any way that you are able!

** Story and all images courtesy of SOS Food Bank.