LAKE PLACID — Boy Scout leader Karl Gibson is proud of his Eagle Scout son, but said Travis didn't always follow the Scout motto to "Be Prepared." During Tuesday's Troop 482 meeting at the Scout House, the elder Gibson talked about watching his son as a young scout prepare for an overnight camping trip. Although Travis neglected to fully pack, the father said nothing prior to the outing. "We have to let them find their own way," said Karl Gibson. "Travis had to drink cereal from a coffee cup without a spoon because he forgot everything. We won't let them starve, but they don't learn anything by giving to them." ...more

January 21, 2008

A program designed to help low-income residents in Balm and Wimauma become more self-sufficient has hit a bump in the road. ...more

January 5, 2008

Earlier this year, the city's homeless were bouncing from place to place, moving their tents and tattered belongings from one makeshift campsite to another. ...more

December 1, 2007

James Evans is looking for children with a problem. Those are the ones the former Buccaneer hopes to turn from hopeless to optimistic, from dependency to self-sufficiency through his 11-year-old organization, Tampa Bay Academy of Hope. ...more

October 27, 2007

One of Beth-El Mission's goals is to help farmworkers achieve self-sufficiency through its many programs and services. ...more

October 24, 2007

EDITOR'S NOTE: This occasional series spotlights the heads of local charities and civic organizations. This week's column features Linda Lawson, executive director of United Food Bank & Services of Plant City, 712 E. Alsobrook St. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The phone number is (813) 764-0625. ...more

October 1, 2007

When I was a child, store-bought cookies never crossed the welcome mat of our home. Oreos and Fig Newtons were not in our pantry. ...more

September 5, 2007