Food bank merger helps Marion County's less fortunate people: 'We can do more together'

First Step Food Bank of Ocala is now the Marion County branch of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

The merger with Orlando-based Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, touted as one of Central Florida's largest hunger relief networks, was announced at a Nov. 14 press conference at the Marion Branch warehouse at 4035 NE 36th Ave.

First Step Food Bank was established in Ocala in 1992 and currently distributes about 2 million pounds of food annually (more than 1.6 million meals) to more than 40 agencies that operate 38 emergency food pantries, kitchens and other outreaches in Marion County, according to FirstStepFoodBank.org.

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Taking a look at the numbers

The merger is aimed at bolstering the Marion County branch distribution level to perhaps 10 million pounds annually (more than 8.3 million meals) in a few years and provide programs like summer meals for school children, according to Derrick Chubbs, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

Chubbs indicated the two food banks have worked together for 30 years but now have officially merged. He emphasized that the merger was about people not just increased food distribution numbers.

"We're talking about people...children, veterans, seniors. The hunger gap is growing (and this merger) will have a positive impact. First Step has done amazing work but we can do more together. We don't do this alone; we need community support," Chubbs said.

Chubbs said the number of people in need is “underestimated" because some do not ask for help.

A Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida press release stated Feeding America, is a nationwide network of food banks and estimates more than 47,350 people in Marion County "will experience food insecurity at some point during the year.”

The merger will "lead to increased food availability" for the area, the release said.

Nonprofits support the merger

The list of local nonprofits partnered with First Step Food Bank includes agencies like Gateway to Hope Ministries, Shepherd’s Lighthouse in Belleview and Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans.

The Rev. James Giles, an Episcopalian priest and CEO of Gateway to Hope Ministries in northeast Ocala, was on hand for the press conference. His outreach touches at least 300 local families and about 120 guests have a hot meal on Thursdays at the ministry.

"We couldn't survive without (First Step Food Bank.) We pick up (food) twice a week," Giles said.

Yolanda East is executive director of Shepherd's Lighthouse, an outreach with transitional housing for single mothers and their children and six one-bedroom, case-managed apartments.

East said First Step Food Bank has been “wonderful” and "vital" to the operation and "the difference between having and not having" food for the persons helped in the area by the outreach.

East praised Del Toro and the staff and said the merger should be an "awesome addition."

East said she "believes in unity in the community" and people joining to help each other.

Gary Pascale, office manager at Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans, said the organization assists 70 to 100 veterans monthly with food , thanks to its partnership with First Step Food Bank.

He said the food bank’s warehouse staff does a fantasitic job of handling the food and helping out

"I don’t know what we would do without them," he said.

Ed Hamilton, assistant of operations at Brother's Keeper Soup Kitchen in downtown Ocala, said the operation has received food and donated some items to First Step Food Bank.

He said Brother's Keeper Soup Kitchen currently prepares about 150 sandwich meals daily.

A man sitting in an area near the soup kitchen who identified himself only as Jeffrey said if not for the meals at the soup kitchen "he would starve to death."

Karla Grimsley-Greenway, CEO of Interfaith Emergency Services, hopes the merger and presence of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida in Marion County will provide an opportunity for IES to "purchase specific food items (such as canned meat, canned vegetables and peanut butter) at a better rate."

First Step Food Bank board of directors member Stewart Robinson praised the First Step Food Bank staff and volunteers and supportive grants from United Way of Marion County and local grocers.

Robinson said he was "passing the torch" to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

"We believe that this is the best path forward for Marion County and we support your organization in establishing a Second Harvest Branch in Marion County," he said.

Robinson said food safety measures at the food bank include all food being within date.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida has its main warehouse and Mercy Kitchen in Orlando, and food banks Daytona Beach (Voliusia County) and West Melbourne (Brevard County) and now Ocala.

Robert Haight, United Way of Marion County interim CEO and president, spoke at the press conference about those in the community who are considered A.L.I.C.E.: "asset limited, income compromised."

Haight said people who receive food from the food bank can use money budgeted for food or utilities and to avoid foreclosure. First Step Food Bank is listed as a funded "financial stability partner" on the UWMC website.

First Step Food Bank of Ocala has operated out of a 6,000-square-foot warehouse with Executive Director Peter Del Toro overseeing the operation for 18 years, Pat Emerick working the facility office and David Belding, Tony Morra and Marvin Reynolds driving the organization’s trucks.

Del Toro said the food bank runs a route to pick up donations from a number of local grocery stores including Aldi, Publix, WalMart and Winn-Dixie. The stores involved are called the Grocery Alliance, set up by Feeding America.

Del Toro said "we’re ready" to take on the new challenges in expanding the food bank's coverage.

More information at (352) 732-5500

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Central Florida food banks merge, assist Marion County