Riverview/Apollo Beach Edition
June 2022
ECHO STAFF THANKFUL FOR STAMP OUT HUNGER® FOOD DRIVE
By Sharon Still
As donations poured in during the Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive, ECHO volunteers sorted and stocked the shelves.
This year marks 30 years of the National Letter Association Carriers’ (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive, which was held recently. The event is the nation’s largest single-day food drive, providing residents with an easy way to donate food to those in need in the community. Seven area post offices in Valrico, Seffner, Brandon, Riverview, Gibsonton, Sun City Center and Apollo Beach collected more than 22,000 pounds of food to help stock the empty shelves at its partner nonprofit, the Emergency Care Health Organization (ECHO) in Brandon. “Neighbors helping neighbors, coming together with the community,” said ECHO director Savanna Thompson. “We cannot thank you enough.” She added that along with the participation of the seven post offices, community members and volunteers contributed to the successful day.
The food donated will go to provide more than 18,000 meals to our community, reported Thompson. “It was beautiful to see volunteers of all ages, race and religions come together for their community,” she commented, “This is what makes our community strong.” Inflation has greatly impacted ECHO, as the rising cost of everything causes an increase in the number of people needing food assistance. Thompson declared, “But the biggest problem facing our community right now is the rising cost of rent.” She explained that each week, more people who are on the verge of losing their homes or have recently become homeless for the first time in their lives because of rising monthly rent are turning to ECHO for assistance. “ECHO has at least 10 families each week who are coming to us as a last resort,” she said. In 2019, ECHO also partnered with post offices for the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, bringing in close to 80,000 pounds of food for ECHO. Thompson said that ECHO has seen a slight decline in donations due to rising food costs and attributes that to the much lower collections in this year’s food drive. Residents wishing to donate to ECHO in this critical time of need can do so by dropping food, clothing and money at ECHO Thrift, located at 424 W. Brandon Blvd., from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. ECHO of Brandon at 507 N. Parsons Ave. and ECHO of Riverview at 7809 Capitano St. accept food donations from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit echofl.org to find out more information about donating food or to contribute financially.
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APOLLO BEACH WOMAN’S CLUB AWARDED COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
Staff Report
The Apollo Beach The winners were Woman’s Club (ABWC) Samantha Prete (Lenhas been serving the nard HS, University of community since 1959. Central Florida, busiThe club’s primary obness/fine arts), Hope jectives are to promote Tepfer (Lennard HS, sociability among its Florida State Univermembers, work tosity, marketing/entreward the advancement preneurship), Lauren of womankind and proMercer (East Bay HS, vide scholarships for University of Central education and training Florida, physical therof students who live in apy), Tatyannah SanApollo Beach and the Apollo Beach Woman’s Club (ABWC) May tos-Lopez (East Bay surrounding areas with 11 luncheon at the Moose Lodge in Ruskin. HS, University of CenTop photo: 2022 college scholarship recipa demonstrated financial tral Florida, legal studients. Bottom photo: 2022 Woman’s Adneed. vancement college scholarship recipients. ies/prelaw), Matthew This year, the ABWC Hummel (East Bay HS, was able to award $12,000 in college schol- Florida A & M University, computer science), arships to eight students from East Bay Nathan Kimmel (East Bay HS, University of and Lennard high schools. The scholarships Central Florida, electrical engineering), Anwere funded due to the generous donations thony Durden (Lennard HS, Florida A&M of club members and donations from the University, business) and Kailyn Batista Estate of Betty Fay, Marion LoVerde, Eileen (Lennard HS, University of Central Florida, Sengstock, family of Sonja Davidson and finance). Nancy Vance. For the first time this year, scholarships All recipients are attending a four-year were also awarded during the May lunFlorida university, and received $1,500 to cheon to two local women, Martha Alfaro be used for tuition, books and lab fees. The and Rachel Martinez, who have returned to recipients and a parent were honored at college to continue their education. Rachel the May 11 luncheon at the Moose Lodge in is pursuing an online degree in counseling at Ruskin along with their guidance counselors. Colorado Christian University and Martha is To be eligible, the scholarship applicant must finishing a nursing degree at Hillsborough be assigned to attend either East Bay or Len- Community College. The money for these nard High Schools, plan to attend a Florida scholarships was raised through the ABWC college or university and submit a complet- Woman’s Advancement Committee. ed application by the deadline. All applicants If you wish to get acquainted with the must meet the club’s stated scholarship ABWC, attend any events (resuming Sepcriteria: show financial need, outstanding tember 2022) or join the club, visit www. scholastic accomplishments, extracurricular apollobeachwomansclub.com or contact Liz activities, leadership roles, two recommen- Pedersen, ABWC second vice president of dations, a 500-word student essay and the membership, at 813-777-8215 or kenlizpedrequired community service hours. ersen@msn.com.
