Photo Library
Photos from our 50th Anniversary
Andy’s Kitchen
Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The funds are for the purchase of utensils and napkin packets, cups, luncheon plates and desserts plates for the year. Rev. Edwin Gonzalez-Gertz, minister at St. Andrews, accepted the check from Helen Lee, a Nearly New Shop volunteer. Andy’s Kitchen offers a free weekly hot lunch on Wednesdays at 11:30 am at the church, 1239 Del Webb Blvd. West, Sun City Center, FL. Lunch includes a hot item, beverage and a homemade dessert. Help Andy’s Kitchen prepare for you by calling (813) 634-1252 for more information and to reserve your seat. Reservations are not necessary, but it helps to have a head count.
Center4LifeLearning
Interfaith Social Action Council of Sun City Center provided a $3,000 grant to the Center4LifeLearning, a ministry of the United Methodist Church of Sun City Center. The funds supported the purchase of computers, Chromebooks, a printer and TV monitors used in the adult education program. An enthusiastic group of volunteers and life-long learners accepted the grant. Center4LifeLearning offers a broad curriculum of subjects by highly qualified instructors to inform, entertain and inspire. These non-credit courses offer information and discussions in an informal and relaxed environment. Along with the educational programs, there are trips and tours offered for enrichment and enjoyment. For more information about classes and trips check out the website and sign up for informational emails at www.sccumc.com/4lifelearning, or call (813) 634-8607.
Collins Elementary
Collins Elementary School has new non-fiction books for its students provided by a $2,500 grant from Interfaith Social Action Council of Sun City Center. Heather Foster, Collins Elementary Media Specialist, accepted the check from Nick Caleca, Interfaith Council Grants Chairman. Interfaith Council is pleased that it has provided several years of grant awards to Collins Elementary to encourage learning efforts.
God’s Dogs
Interfaith Social Action Council of Sun City Center provided a $5,600 grant to God’s Dogs, a nonprofit gilling hot dogs to feed the homeless in the area. Kenneth Williams, President, Earl Howard, Vice-President, Emma Peterson, “Doc,” and Benjamin accepted the check from Lynn Safian, a Nearly New Shop volunteer. The funds support the purchase of food, bottled water and supplies to stock the hot dog grilling cart for feeding the homeless every Tuesday. God’s Dogs began in 2018 by Kenneth Williams and 6-10 volunteers from his church, Redeemer City Church, Tampa Heights, along with two homeless men support the mission. Over 100,000 hotdogs have been provided since the hot dog grilling cart began serving.
Military Order of the World Wars
Interfaith Social Action Council of Sun City Center provided a $4,000 grant to Chapter 226 of the Military Order of the World Wars. The funds supported the registration fees for 16 students from 4 local high schools to attend the Tampa Bay Youth Leadership Conference. Charlie Collins (left), Chapter 226 Commander and Tom Hart (right), Charman of Patriotic Education, accepted the check from Ann Miller, a Nearly New Shop volunteer and grant committee member. The Youth Leadership Conferences are multi-day educational conferences that provide high school students with the chance to develop leadership skills via patriotic education.
Samaritan Services
The Interfaith Social Action Council of Sun City Center provided a $10,000 grant to support Samaritan Services, a nonprofit that provides many support-needed services to residents of Greater Sun City Center. Patricia Rapach, President of Samaritan Services, accepted the check from David Swaim, a member of Interfaith Council’s grant committee, to pay for vehicle insurance. Samaritan Services transport ambulatory residents to medical appointments in Wimauma, Riverview, Brandon, Bradenton and Tampa, with advance notice of 10 to 14 days. SCC Ride provides transportation for in-town appointments and shopping, from 9 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday. Samaritan Services also coordinates the Meals on Wheels program and provide Alzheimer’s respite care. For Samaritan Services information call (813)634-9283.
Summerfield Elementary
With students back at school, Summerfield Elementary has extra curriculum and materials for its students provided by a $1,625 grant from Interfaith Social Action Council of Sun City Center. Amber Daniels, Summerfield Elementary Media Specialist, accepted the check from Barb Caleca, Interfaith Council and Nancy Sealy, a volunteer from the Nearly New Store. Interfaith Council is pleased it has provided several years of grant awards to Summerfield Elementary to encourage learning efforts.
Wimauma Boys and Girls Club
Interfaith Social Action Council of Sun City Center provided a $2,625 grant to the Wimauma Boys and Girls Club at Bethune Park. The funds are for the purchase of a laptop computer, cart and desks as well as art supplies and board games for the children participating at the club. Crystall Galicia, Club Director, and Diana Medina, MTS Coordinator, accepted the check from Judy Duhamel, a Nearly New Shop volunteer. The Boys and Girls Club enables young people to become productive, responsible and caring citizens through structured programming, safe learning environments and dedicated staff.
Tampa YMCA’s Veggie Van
Barb Caleca, President of Interfaith Social Action Council of Sun City Center presented a $5,000 grant to Tampa YMCA to support the YMCA’s Veggie Van -- a mobile marketplace. The Veggie Van meets the needs of individuals and families living in underserved areas of Hillsborough including Wimauma. The Veggie Van has stops in Wimauma on the 1st and 3rd Thursday every month. The Veggie Van distributes fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables into targeted communities, which are labeled food deserts. A food desert is defined as an urban neighborhood without ready access to fresh, healthy and affordable food. The Veggie Van’s goal is to improve the overall well-being of participants and their families. In addition to providing produce, staff and volunteers provide recipe information and healthy living tips. Working with families to improve food preparation, cooking and exercise habits helps minimize the risk of obesity, chronic disease and high blood pressure.