[buggyone]

I saw a figure in the Daily Sun a couple of days ago. It stated that 7,000 meals were served at the Wildwood Soup Kitchen in the month of June, 2014. The Christian Food Pantry of Lady Lake provided groceries to around 435 families in the area. The families range in size from one to 8 people.

That means there is a lot of poverty in this area. Businesses and individuals are wonderful in providing donations in cash and food and volunteers.

We, in The Villages, are just so fortunate that we (mostly) have all we need and are able to help others.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by buggyone

I saw a figure in the Daily Sun a couple of days ago. It stated that 7,000 meals were served at the Wildwood Soup Kitchen in the month of June, 2014. The Christian Food Pantry of Lady Lake provided groceries to around 435 families in the area. The families range in size from one to 8 people.

That means there is a lot of poverty in this area. Businesses and individuals are wonderful in providing donations in cash and food and volunteers.

We, in The Villages, are just so fortunate that we (mostly) have all we need and are able to help others.

So right. There are so many people sharing with those who need help. Many tutor in the area schools and contribute to the backpack programs and many of our churches have the homeless in the Ocala Forest on their prayer and outreach list. Quietly and caringly, many, many help others.

Please others tell us of good programs that you are involved with.

[kittygilchrist]

My church has a massive food pantry in east Wildwood off 44. the villages is giving the local economy a welcome boost.

[OBXNana]

In NC we ask our guests to leave any non perishable items that they have when their vacation ends and don't want to carry back home, to leave on the kitchen counter to be donated to the local food bank. The folks that come to clean between guests take all the canned goods collected from many houses, to the food bank.

We're not as familiar with The Villages, but our exit instructions ask that any non perishable items they have left over, they consider donating to a food back. Is there a drop box in any of the local stores that accept donations? We would love to add specific information where the items could be donated. People from out of town may be more prone to donate if there is a specific location that is convenient.

Thank you for guidance. I would love to change our exit instructions to include a specific location that may be close to Pinellas. We've found many don't rent cars and they may be happier to take it close by when their only means of transportation is a golf cart.

[raynan]

Our book club helped a family in Bushnell that we were connected to by a guardian ad litem. School clothes, xmas gifts, beds, stove, holiday meals were supplied for 2 years until children were separated and sent to live with other relatives. This year we are donating to school librarians in Wildwood and Lady Lake to help them build up their supplies. There is much need in the area.
Nancy

[Rags123]

From my experience (12 yrs), I think it may be pretty difficult to find a resident or group who in some way is not very giving with time or money.

I know for a fact, The Villages INC and the family are very giving.

[Patty55]

IMO in addition to food pantries and soup kitchens these groups should teach people how to cook.

When they are collecting in front of Publix look at the list.. fruit rollups (Really?) jar sauce, and all sorts of prepared foods.

I think that most of our parents and grandparents lived through the depression. They could turn out nutritious meals from nothing. Oatmeal is a lot less money than boxed cereal, you can make a giant pot of pasta fazool for less than that jar of sauce. How about home made soup instead of canned?

Maybe somebody (more ambitious than me) could make make up a booklet of recipes. I'd happily contribute my grandmother's secret recipe for what we jokingly called spaghetti and "depression balls" (a lot of day old bread and not-so-much meat).

[senior citizen]

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[tucson]

Thank you Senior!!! Love reading your posts!! As I was reading both your post and Patty55's, I have to agree with both of you. But, I believe the majority will NOT cook their own homemade meals, though. I don't know if it's because they're just spoiled from opening a pkg. and nuking it, or if they don't have the time b/c of working long hrs. Although. that's not an excuse, as when my mother worked (w/a family of 12 children) the older ones would do the cooking after school and on Saturday's. We even had a small garden, never ate expensive meat, mostly chicken or fish. Only had ice cream once a wk on Sunday for a treat, and always baked homemade cakes,cookies, etc. We didn't use butter, whole milk, (drank powered milk) No eggs for breakfast, but oatmeal or corn flakes. I think the reason we see SO many overweight children and adults is b/c of the horrible fake foods that the majority that ppl in our country eats. Chock full of carbs, sugar, corn syrup, sodas, diet drinks and diet fake food products,etc,etc. Which puts high strains on the insurance/welfare systems b/c of the illnesses which stem from obesity. Wow, SO sad!

[bluedog103]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

Hey, we can't be Spartans every single day of our lives.

[B]our daughter had just turned three; we were returning from a walk down into town to the library when a younger 24 year old neighbor across the street with 3 little girls began chatting, asked me what I was making for lunch........I told her I was going to make some chicken soup........this conversation evolved into her asking me if I preferred Campbells or Lipton as her girls would only eat the dehydrated chicken soup........

I proceeded to tell her that I was just going to fill up a big pot with water & put in a large pack of chicken wings, cut up some carrots, celery, etc. & let it boil & simmer....

Then serve with egg noodles (or rice)....

Hope you were planning on a late lunch. Sounds good but a little time consuming for lunch. When my mom made soup like this it was made well ahead of time, usually the day before.

[senior citizen]

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[CFrance]

These lovely childhood stories... All the cooking from scratch usually came from moms who weren't working full time. I remember bread dough rising on our radiators. I remember the worst homemade vegetable soup ever (nothing was cut into pieces that would fit on a spoon--whole string beans, bleh!) I remember the best potato salad in the world, but it was a project started the day before.

You could still keep it nutritious (fruit rollups, yuck), but time became of essence eventually. The advent of the slow cooker and safer pressure cookers helped.

[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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[bimmertl]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

THANK YOU !! It was an entirely different mindset in those years.

We were all fed without the help of government. Our parents took it upon themselves as their duty to cook, bake, garden plus work full time jobs for their children........we all have it so easy nowadays compared to back then.......modern appliances, automobiles, etc., etc.

Ah yes, the good old days where everybody was fed without the help of government, or sort of anyway.


Top 10 New Deal Programs

Can't believe nobody has yet mentioned walking to school uphill both ways.