Church & Community Outreach

What Happens To All That Food?

Have you ever wondered what happens after the basket of food is brought to the altar and blessed along with the offerings each Sunday? Several people have been curious about this matter - and, so, we will attempt to clarify how this food is assembled and distributed after it leaves the church.

Our basket of food is taken from church each week to the Food Pantry, a service of Church and Community Outreach (CCO), a local organization comprised of most of the churches in Safety Harbor, including Church of the Holy Spirit, as well as SHARE, the Lions Club, The Safety Harbor Women's Civic Club. Other organizations that are not members contribute money and food. Father Ray is an active "clergy representative". CCO has monthly meetings to address issues of service to people within the area of Safety Harbor and sometimes to those outside our geographical area. Each member organization has only one vote when the Board of Directors meets to discuss items on the agenda, even though several members may attend to represent the member church/organization. There is also an Executive Committee and three Directors who co-ordinate the Food Pantry. The pantry is located in the offices of Neighborhood Family Center (building behind The Whistle Stop Ice Cream Shop on Main Street west of the railroad tracks). Other churches also contribute food.

Money is donated by commercial enterprises as well as by the churches, so that occasionally the small bills for rent, electricity, water, gas, etc., of those in need of assistance, may be paid by CCO. These emergency bills are generally paid only in part so those who request assistance must find other sources to help with financial need. Our Safety Harbor pastors are expected to 'screen" people requesting money so that these individual/families receive counseling as part of the process.

The Food Pantry is open on Friday afternoons. Distribution of food for short-term emergency needs is accomplished by the CCO volunteer staff. In addition to the distribution of food and assisting with checks for basic needs, CCO also assembles holiday baskets of food for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Those in crisis situations may also stop by Family Center during the week. Their staff can distribute food and keep records for CCO.