Catholic Charities Regional Office in Lake City and Florida Gateway Food Bank are now partnering with Feeding America making it possible to provide the poor with fresh produce in addition to other non-perishable food items.

“We are one of 14 Feeding America Food Banks in Florida,” said Suzanne Edwards, regional director of Catholic Charities in Lake City. The Lake City office serves five counties and 66 agencies who obtain their food from Florida Gateway Food Bank.

“What this means to our clients is not only can we provide the usual non-perishable food items but we can also provide dairy, eggs, milk and frozen meat,” said Edwards. In addition, she said due to generous donations to fund a new drive-in cooler and freezer the Lake City office can feed families healthy foods and continue their mission to eradicate hunger and poverty.

In the last quarter (July, August and September), Catholic Charities in Lake City emergency assistance provided 2,836 people with food and an additional 10,835 people were assisted through the Florida Gateway Food Bank operated by Catholic Charities.

As a partner distributor of Feeding America, the Catholic Charities food bank is utilized as a EF11 partner with Florida Emergency Operations to store food and water. According to Edwards, they are continuing to work with communities impacted hard by Hurricane Matthew.

To learn more about the Catholic Charities operation in Lake City and to donate to their emergency assistance programs, call (386) 754-9180 or email cclc@bellsouth.net.