Two leagues of competitive Angels are throwing it down this year for the third time, and Spring Hill forms part of the heavenly battleground! Residents should not be alarmed, however, as it’s a fun and peaceful battle; One “fought” for a good and essential cause.
The third annual Angels vs. Angels Food Drive is a friendly competition between two regional Healthcare Agencies: Visiting Angels donating to Interfaith Emergency Services, and Angels Care Home Health, donating to Marion Senior Services. “We are so excited to bring our community together for the third year in a row with our ‘friendly’ food drive competition,” said Visiting Angels owner Kandice Alder. “Over a year into the pandemic and we are still feeling the hardship COVID has left on our community. The extreme hardships some families are still enduring is heartbreaking. Some lost jobs and others lost loved ones, leaving them trying to make it on just one income.”
To aid families in need, the competing agencies will accept non-perishable food items between Oct. 1st and Nov. 5th at three different places:
- Visiting Angels’ Ocala Office: 8405 SW 80th Street, Suite 14, Ocala.
- Citrus Office: 3382 E. Gulf to Lake Highway, Inverness.
- Hernando Office: 5331 Commercial Way, Suite 202, Spring Hill; and Angels Care Home Health, 3304 SW 34th Circle, Suite 201, Ocala.
Donations accepted include:
- Canned Vegetables
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly or Jam
- Canned Meats
- Canned Soup
- Snack Bars
- Spaghetti Sauce
- Mac & Cheese
- Cereal & Oatmeal
- Pasta & Rice
- Coffee & Tea
- Canned Fruit
Veronica Tourgeman, Director of Visiting Angels in Spring Hill, has decorated her agency’s food drive collection box in celebration of the fall season, as adorned with decorative, glittery leaf decor, a cloth emblazoned with the images of the gold cast leaves and acorns of Autumn, and a lovely ribbon graced with whimsical pumpkin pictures. Visiting Angels is collecting food this year for Interfaith Emergency Services, which according to their website, “Provides a full range of services and assistance for residents of Marion County. We serve individuals and families in need. Clients are referred to Interfaith by churches, synagogues, public services agencies or word of mouth. We provide basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, medications, hygiene items and much more to enhance the quality of life and ease the burden for those in financial distress. Our clients are those experiencing homelessness, senior citizens, veterans, people with disabilities and the under-employed. On an annual basis, Interfaith Emergency Services through outreach and services touch the lives of approximately 30,000 people in Marion County.”
Alder hopes that additional locations will be open to hosting food drive donation boxes at their locations. “We have reached out to several businesses in our community hoping they will allow us to simply leave a box in their office or place of business for employees or customers to drop off canned food or dry goods. Our hope is that other businesses such as Coastal Engineering Associates in Brooksville who are repeat supporters will jump on board to partner with us this year,” she said.
The competition is stiff. “We are going to win this year! Marion Senior services was so grateful for our contributions last year,” said Tonia Hissong with Angel Care Home Health. “They enjoy the competitiveness between both agencies because they are the real winners in the end!”
The Visiting Angels are up to the challenge. “2020’s food drive was a big success. We collected enough food to fill a 6X12 enclosed trailer. Our hope for 2021 is to receive so many donations we must make multiple trips,” said Alder.
To host a donation box or to find out more information about the Angels Vs. Angels Food Drive, call 352-805-9160 or 352-620-8484.
Send your good news notices to community reporter Megan Hussey at [email protected]. Show us your ‘Sun’shine!
