Citrus County Blessings Annual Strategic Planning Meeting: Addressing Weekend Hunger for Citrus Children

This week, Citrus County Blessings convened its Annual Strategic Planning meeting, a significant event that brought together the organization’s leadership and student representatives. The 15-member Board of Directors and 11 student representatives joined forces to reflect on the past year’s accomplishments and chart a course for the coming year. The meeting was marked by passionate discussions, inspiring presentations, and a commitment to addressing the weekend hunger experienced by local children in need.

Blessings, at its core, is dedicated to the noble mission of eradicating weekend hunger among disadvantaged children within Citrus County. As part of their program, participants receive a bag of food every week during the school year to sustain them over the weekend. This critical support ensures that children enrolled in the federally funded free or reduced breakfast and lunch program have access to nutritious meals when school is not in session.

Currently, Blessings is making a substantial impact, serving over 2,650 students across Citrus County’s public and private schools. This remarkable achievement has been made possible through the collaborative efforts of numerous donors, sponsors, and grant providers, as well as the tireless dedication of an impressive team of nearly 1,000 volunteers, all led by just two full-time staff members.

One of the highlights of this year’s planning meeting was a captivating presentation delivered by Debbie Lattin, the founder of Citrus Blessings/Citrus County Harvest. Ms. Lattin initiated her journey in 1999 with Citrus County Harvest, Inc., where she began the Food Recovery program called Harvest. This initiative involved local restaurants generously donating surplus food at the end of each day, which was then redistributed to those in need. Over time, Harvest evolved to encompass its primary mission—Blessings.

For those who have been involved with Blessings from the early days, like myself, the privilege of serving alongside Mrs. Lattin on the Blessings Board was a profound experience. Witnessing her exceptional talents and unwavering commitment to alleviating hunger among our community’s students left an indelible mark on us all. Mrs. Lattin’s presence at this year’s planning meeting served as a source of inspiration for the current board members, emphasizing the continuity of her legacy and the importance of maintaining the organization’s founding spirit.

Equally impactful was the invaluable input and problem-solving provided by our student representatives. Hailing from Citrus, Lecanto, Crystal River, and Seven Rivers High Schools, these young individuals brought fresh perspectives and ideas to the table, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to engaging with and empowering the very beneficiaries it serves.

The day commenced with a tour of Blessings’ newly acquired warehouse space, a generous donation from All About IT in Lecanto. This expansive warehouse has substantially expanded Blessings’ capacity to serve more students and families in need. During the tour, we were introduced to new food vendors who provide a wider array of nutritious food options for our beneficiaries. Additionally, discussions centered on the cost-saving benefits derived from these vendors, who have extended extra discounts exclusively to Blessings as a gesture of support for our mission.

As a sneak peek into what lies ahead, attendees were treated to a preview of Blessings’ forthcoming promotional video, a powerful tool that will soon be released to the public, further raising awareness of the organization’s mission and impact. Stay tuned for this exciting release!

I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the dedicated volunteers and generous donors who make Blessings’ work possible. Your unwavering support and commitment to our cause empower us to continue addressing weekend hunger among the children of Citrus County. If you’re inspired to make a difference, whether by adopting a student or making a donation, we invite you to visit our website at https://citruscountyblessings.harnessgiving.org/donate. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of the children we serve and create a brighter future for our community.

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