New food bank will help pantries serve more people

Getting food to hungry people is a tough job that just got easier in Highlands County. Thanks to a new food bank that's coming to this area, more people than ever will receive the help they need to feed themselves and their families during these difficult times.

Highlands County's new food bank is a very big deal. Food pantries that have been doing such crucial work for so long now will have a warehouse to store food and supply it when needed. Until this is up and going, food must be hauled in from Lakeland food banks.

Bill Stephenson signed the paperwork last week on the Heartland Food Reservoir's warehouse off of U.S. 27 in Sebring. He's been doing an amazing job at the Avon Park Church Service Center for some time. Other food pantries also work hard to feed people who need it around here. They are angels to those in need.

In the last few years, the need for food has gone through the roof. Unemployed, and under-employed, have sought assistance. Most of these folks struggled just to ask for help, but the need was so great they finally did. It's heartbreaking to think of our friends and neighbors in such crisis.

This food "reservoir" will make sure our pantries have plenty of food with easy access. That's exactly what this area has needed for years. Our part of Florida is rural, but there are plenty of people who need assistance, especially with essentials like food. That's why we are so proud of the pantries throughout our county who have worked hard to serve them all.

This food bank has been a long time coming and we credit people like Bill Stephenson and others for providing this essential service to so many people.