Community Corner

Farm Share Food Giveaway Helps Pasco Families

The giveaway helps more than 500 families.

State lawmakers are giving back to the Pasco County community this holiday season.

State Reps. Mike Fasano and Richard Corcoran and state Sen. John Legg, all of whom are Republican, are holding the annual Farm Share Food Giveaway  on Dec. 14 at Redeemer Community Church on Ridge Road in the New Port Richey area. The giveaway is intended for needy families.

The giveaway includes fresh food donated by farmers from Florida.

Find out what's happening in New Port Richeywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Annually, the event provides over 500 familes with food and other items needed for a complete holiday dinner, according to a press release.

Donations from Publix, AT&T and other individuals and organizations are also disbursed at the giveaway.

Find out what's happening in New Port Richeywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We are once again blessed to work with farmers throughout Florida to provide food at this special time of the year,” Fasano stated in the press release. “When so many Floridians are hurting it is wonderful to see our community come together to serve others.”

During last year’s giveaway, organizers ran out of food in less than three hours and had to turn 150 families away, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Greg Giordano, Fasano’s chief legislative aid, told Patch that this year organizers are expecting “yet another busy year at Farm Share."

Organizers have purchased 550 hams, 550 bags of potatoes and 550 boxes of candy canes to prepare.

“We increased the amount of food we purchased over last year to help reduce the number of people who may be turned away,” Giordano said. “Representative Fasano hopes to have some money left over to purchase gift cards to Publix for anyone who gets there after the food is gone, but there is no way of knowing if that will happen until the day of the giveaway."

Going to the giveaway? Here's what to know:

What: Farm Share Food Giveaway

When: Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon

Where: Redeemer Community Church, 9230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey

Screening: "The Farm Share program requires that families be asked for proof that they receive Medicaid, SSI and /or food stamps," Giordano said.


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