Nativity Outreach |
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Food Pantry & Food Bank 813-707-1523 
MISSION OF NATIVITY OUTREACH The mission of Nativity Outreach Food Pantry & Food Bank is to combat hunger in the parish, through the weekly distribution at Nativity Catholic Church and in the community, through the other non-profits, churches and ministries with whom the Food Bank shares. In effect, this ministry is supplementing a satellite system of small food pantries that radiate from Nativity miles into Hillsborough and Pasco Counties enabling the hungry to be served, with dignity, in their neighborhoods through a program appropriate to their needs.
Nativity Catholic Church Social Hall Thursdays: 3:15 – 4:00 PM
Nativity Food Pantry was founded February 19, 1983 by Sr. Constance Arsenault, C. S. C. as the service project of the Nativity Friendship Club, a Nativity organization providing social, service and spiritual activities for parishioners over the age of 50. Nativity Food Pantry provides food to families in need who reside in the ZIP codes within the parish boundaries. Anyone requesting assistance who resides outside this area is given food for the week and referred to another food pantry that receives food from the Outreach. During six months, ending June 30, 2001, 2,553 families, including 8,982 individuals and 322 babies were served through this program. The Nativity Food Pantry is open every Thursday except for legal holidays and religious Holydays. Registration for the program begins at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday in Room D of the Nativity Social Hall. Those who live within the designated geographical area required to provide a picture ID, proof of residence other than the ID and Social Security information on all members of the family. The applicant is interviewed and registered for up to three months. Food distribution for registered families is between 3:15 and 4:00 p.m. in rooms A & B of the Nativity Social Hall.
NATIVITY FOOD BANK 13295 Hwy. 92 E. Weekdays: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Nativity Food Bank evolved from the Food Pantry as it grew and began to share with other food pantries surrounding the Brandon area. Through this program food is acquired and distributed to Nativity Food Pantry and sixty other ministries and food pantries on a weekly basis. Approximately 1,500 families per week are assisted through these ministries. During the first six months of 2001, 1,408,142 pounds of food were distributed through Nativity Outreach Food Pantry & Food Bank. All recipient organizations are registered and have agreed the food will be distributed through their food program, not sold or bartered. They are supplied unsorted boxes of groceries, bread and fresh produce, if available. There is no charge for the program. However, recipients are encouraged to contribute what they can to help defray overhead. A list of recipient organizations follows.
In addition to these programs, several other programs with specific needs are served:
COMMUNITY SUPPORT Nativity Outreach is supported through donations from parishioners of Nativity Catholic Church, organizations of Nativity Catholic Church, recipient organizations, civic organizations, businesses and individuals in the community, and philanthropic organizations and foundations: Donations from foundations and businesses:
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVOLVEMENT The majority of the volunteers at Nativity Food Pantry are retired members of the Nativity Friendship Club. There are approximately 75 individuals volunteering every Thursday. The majority of the thirty volunteers at the Food Bank are retired men of Nativity Parish. They pickup and distribute donations on a shift basis, five days a week. The total number of hours volunteered to the Outreach, per week, is 450.
Volunteer opportunities are available during the following hours:
Support the following events:
Other means of involvement:
Nativity Outreach a program of Nativity Catholic Church For more information, contact: Pat Le Jeune, Director Click here to e-mail Pat Le Jeune 813-707-1523 Thank you for your generous support. (Photos courtesy of and © copyrighted by: Ed Foster, Jr.)
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