Food bank seeking partners

Churches and charitable organizations that provide food to families are urged to attend a 5 p.m. Thursday meeting at Sebring Health Department, 7205 S. George Blvd., to set up a food bank in Highlands County.

The Heartland Food Reservoir, a not-for-profit corporation, is establishing a central warehouse where food pantries can get food. The board of directors has leased a warehouse from Tim Blackman, and is remodeling the facility to accommodate food storage.

Mary Foy, interim director of Highlands County's human services department, said Blackman leased the space at a greatly reduced price. Doug Hammond has donated architectural services. Highlands County builders, led by Mike Secor, are donating the demolition and build-out.

Leadership Highlands Class of 2009 cleaned and pressure washed the warehouse. The Heartland Association of Realtors, along with Adrianna Burke and Denyelle Dibble, are donating Casino Night proceeds. Their event will be held this month.

Heartland for Children is providing grant funding to be used for equipment, and the Children's Services Foundation has donated funds for food. A federal stimulus grant will stock the warehouse with food and provide equipment.

Food pantry staffers are traveling to food banks in Lakeland and Tampa or buying food locally from retailers, Foy said. A food bank will save time and gasoline.

For 18 cents a pound, the food bank will provide groceries to local pantries - Salvation Army, Church Service Center, Manna Ministries, Parkway Food Ministries, Seventh-day Adventist Churches and others which join. The handling fee will cover the food bank's operational expenses and restock the shelves.

Some food will be donated by grocery chains, but the Heartland Food Reservoir intends to partner with the Second Harvest Food Bank Organization.

Still needed: a forklift, a flat scale for weighing food, a walk-in cooler or freezer, a refrigerated truck, and cash. Make checks payable to Heartland Food Reservoir, P.O. Box 7815, Sebring, FL 33872.

More info: 402-6626.