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STAMP OUT HUNGER
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 ofces 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 ofces 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.
Staf Report
The Apollo Beach Woman’s Club (ABWC) has been serving the community since 1959. The club’s primary objectives are to promote sociability among its members, work toward the advancement of womankind and provide scholarships for education and training of students who live in Apollo Beach and the surrounding areas with a demonstrated financial need.
This year, the ABWC was able to award $12,000 in college scholarships to eight students from East Bay and Lennard high schools. The scholarships were funded due to the generous donations of club members and donations from the Estate of Betty Fay, Marion LoVerde, Eileen Sengstock, family of Sonja Davidson and Nancy Vance.
All recipients are attending a four-year Florida university, and received $1,500 to be used for tuition, books and lab fees. The recipients and a parent were honored at the May 11 luncheon at the Moose Lodge in Ruskin along with their guidance counselors. To be eligible, the scholarship applicant must be assigned to attend either East Bay or Lennard High Schools, plan to attend a Florida college or university and submit a completed application by the deadline. All applicants must meet the club’s stated scholarship criteria: show financial need, outstanding scholastic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, two recommendations, a 500-word student essay and the required community service hours.
The winners were Samantha Prete (Lennard HS, University of Central Florida, business/fine arts), Hope Tepfer (Lennard HS, Florida State University, marketing/entrepreneurship), Lauren Mercer (East Bay HS, University of Central Florida, physical therapy), Tatyannah SanApollo Beach Woman’s Club (ABWC) May tos-Lopez (East Bay 11 luncheon at the Moose Lodge in Ruskin. HS, University of CenTop photo: 2022 college scholarship recipients. Bottom photo: 2022 Woman’s Advancement college scholarship recipients. tral Florida, legal studies/prelaw), Matthew Hummel (East Bay HS, Florida A & M University, computer science), Nathan Kimmel (East Bay HS, University of Central Florida, electrical engineering), Anthony Durden (Lennard HS, Florida A&M University, business) and Kailyn Batista (Lennard HS, University of Central Florida, finance). For the first time this year, scholarships were also awarded during the May luncheon to two local women, Martha Alfaro and Rachel Martinez, who have returned to college to continue their education. Rachel is pursuing an online degree in counseling at Colorado Christian University and Martha is finishing a nursing degree at Hillsborough Community College. The money for these scholarships was raised through the ABWC Woman’s Advancement Committee. If you wish to get acquainted with the ABWC, attend any events (resuming September 2022) or join the club, visit www. apollobeachwomansclub.com or contact Liz Pedersen, ABWC second vice president of membership, at 813-777-8215 or kenlizpedersen@msn.com.
