Through the Sonnentag Foundation, County Materials has helped Lake Cares Food Pantry, an independent community-based food pantry in central Florida, expand their support to new locations and provide new services. Most recently, County Materials helped Lake Cares to partner with their local Habitat for Humanity to fill the food pantries and kitchens of 14 homes in the newly built Veterans Village.
Located in the center of Umatilla, FL, Veterans Village is a 14-home development built for supporting service men and women in the community. Too often transitioning from service life to civilian life isn’t easy. A safe, affordable home assists in the transition not only financially, but mentally, providing veterans with peace of mind.
“We thought it would be so nice for the veterans moving into these new homes not to have to think about stocking their kitchen with food right away,” said Irene O’Malley, executive director of Lake Cares. “We have done this for other families that move into Habitat for Humanity homes, but now were able to do it specifically for veterans.”
In total, Lake Cares provides nutrition to nearly 40,000 people in the central Florida region and currently distributes food to 134 families that have a veteran in their household. Lake Cares also offers many support services that help clients get back on their feet, including: education about nutrition, budgeting assistance, counseling, support with earning a GED, English for Speakers of Other Languages classes, emergency assistance, Organic Buyers Club, and access to a Notary Public.
