Contact: Robyn Philips, Caring & Sharing Publicity Chairman
Mobile phone: (850) 501-0537; Email: r.philips@mchsi.com
 
Let’s get Pak ‘N’ to feed our neighbors in South Santa Rosa in the Fill the Truck Food Drive
           
The Pak 'N' Fax in Navarre is assisting local community members by holding a fill the truck food drive that will directly benefit nearly 300 families living in the immediate area.  The Pak 'N' Fax Budget truck will be collecting donations on Thursday, December 15th & Friday, December 16th at 8540 Navarre Parkway, across from the Navarre Visitor Information Center. 
 
The goal is to fill the truck so please consider donating non-perishable food items, such as: canned fish/meat, tomato sauce, canned fruits/vegetables, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, soup, cereal, crackers, cookies, paper products, and diapers anytime either day between 10am-5pm.            
 
            “When people donate to food drives they may not always know where their food contributions are going,” said Robyn Philips, Caring and Sharing Publicity Liaison. “Thanks to PAK ‘N’ Fax of Navarre all food collected will go to Caring and Sharing’s organization and support their holiday assistance program.” 
 
It is important to point out that Caring and Sharing sometimes is confused with Manna Food Pantries in Pensacola.  Unlike Caring and Sharing that directly serves the Navarre and Gulf Breeze community Manna provides services to Escambia and Santa Rosa communities of:  Ensley, Gonzalez, Jay, Milton, Myrtle Grove, and Pensacola.
 
In October of this year 290 families qualified for Caring and Sharing's support, including 1088 individuals; 489 adults, 133 teens, 420 children and 46 infants.  These numbers clearly point toward why Caring and Sharing's food donations are truly needed at a very local level.  Qualifying teens and children who participate in the 2011-2012 Free and Reduced School Meals in South Santa Rosa County (Gulf Breeze & Navarre) could miss meals during the holiday breaks, when schools are closed.    
            If you would like more information about the food drive, or volunteer opportunities, call Caring and Sharing’s phone line and leave a message at 850-924-8385 and a volunteer board member will return the call as soon as possible.


DROP BOX LOCATIONS


Caring and Sharing now has collection boxes in South Santa Rosa County locations where those who wish to contribute non-perishable food, hygiene products and new toys may drop off their donations.  
The RED drop boxes are located at the following places:

Arrington’s Home Furnishings         & Pullum YMCA - Navarre
E.H. Pullum Senior Center       West Navarre Intermediate School (after 2pm) - Navarre
Navarre Chamber of Commerce at the Visitors Information Center – Navarre
Gulf Breeze News, Chamber of Commerce         City Hall – Gulf Breeze
Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church at both Fairpoint & Soundside Campuses
RE/MAX on the Coast (near Publix)      A Proper Cut         Aerobics and Fitness – Gulf Breeze

Caring & Sharing seeks to brighten the holidays for those in need in South Santa Rosa by holding its Christmas Holiday Distributions of food, and new gifts for children.  For large pick-ups, please contact (leave a message with name & phone number) at Caring and Sharing’s phone line: (850) 939-0727.

Financial contributions are also needed as the food donations have been low this year.  Caring and Sharing will use monetary donations to purchase needed non-perishable food items, food certificates, gift certificates for teens.  “We just try to grant Christmas wishes, one family at a time,” commented Teresa Vincent, Volunteer-Treasurer.  “This year we have 290 families, totaling 1,088 persons, (489 adults, 133 teens, 420 children and 46 infants) whom qualified for assistance at the (October 2011) held interviews.”
Contributors may also be dropped off at Christmas Distribution location; Oriole Beach Elementary School’s cafeteria, on Friday, December 17, after 2:00pm – 5:30pm.

Caring and Sharing is thankful to the community for its continued generosity and support, brightening the holidays for those who have stumbled during these current economic hard times.  “For more information, to make a (tax-free) financial donation, or to volunteer please call and leave a message on the phone line at: (850) 939-0727, and a Caring and Sharing volunteer board member will call you back as soon as possible.


GBHS Dolphins VS NHS Raiders


GBHS Dolphins out Collect NHS Raiders in the Caring and Sharing First Annual Beach Soup Bowl Cup

The week prior to November 11th, Jenae Cox, SGA Sponsor at GBHS and Jenna Hughes, SGA Sponsor at NHS helped their respective SGA students coordinate rival school food drives.  The competitive food collection program was a crushing success for the 290 family recipients of Caring and Sharing of Santa Rosa County's Thanksgiving Distribution which was held on November 20th.  GBHS raised in cans, jars, boxes a total food count of 4,334 items versus NHS 456 food items.  The Caring and Sharing local food drive challenge between the two schools was announced to the Student Government Association (SGA) Sponsors in mid-September, both schools acknowledged their interest and support for this worthy cause.  Unreported, each school unfortunately had other internal competing school clubs coordinating food drives, which could have taken away from the SGA food drive in Navarre's case, which may have robbed them from the trophy.  In the past both schools, through their Student Government Associations (SGA) programs have participated in football food drive challenges for Caring and Sharing.  It's no secret that the school organizations have sponsorship turnover and clubs can have annually different priorities, but something important to consider is that where the food contributions go can be confusing and when donating to one organization may seem like it’s the organization you intended, it's not.  This has been a communication dilemma for Caring and Sharing of South Santa Rosa County for many of its thirty plus years of feeding the hungry in South Santa Rosa County.  It should be incumbent of collecting organizations to pass along where the food contributions go.  Manna Food Pantries in Pensacola, per their website reveal that they provide support in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.  What a lot of people do not know while this food is much needed the Manna Food Pantries serve the Escambia and Santa Rosa communities of:  Ensley, Gonzalez, Jay, Milton, Myrtle Grove, and Pensacola.  While Caring and Sharing of South Santa Rosa County serve those in Gulf Breeze and Navarre, but only during the holiday season which is why the high schools unselfish food collection competition is so valuable to their organization.  In October of this year 290 families qualified for Caring and Sharing's support, including 1088 individuals; 489 adults, 133 teens, 420 children and 46 infants.  These numbers clearly point toward why Caring and Sharing's food donations are truly needed at a very local level.  Qualifying teens and children who participate in the 2011-2012 Free and Reduced School Meals could miss meals during the holiday breaks, when school is closed.  The annual rivalry football game was another Win for the Raiders and no one should want to take any accolades away from the athletes who played the game on November 11th; which resulted in the prestigious Publix trophy for a fifth consecutive year for Navarre.  And the food drives held prior to the night's game ending results also should be collection efforts that a community can be proud of and recognized for their achievement.  Good clean competition keeps individuals sharp and in the game.  The GBHS Dolphins now have a one year of bragging right to the "First Annual Caring and Sharing Beach Soup Bowl Cup" trophy.  While the program is a spin-off of the Publix Beach Bowl competition, hopefully the new competition will create the much needed awareness for a somehow understated effort towards feeding families, students and children in South Santa Rosa County!

 For more information about MANNA Food Pantries visit their website at: www.mannafoodpantires.org.  For more information about Caring and Sharing of South Santa Rosa County please visit their website: www.santarosacares.org.  Financial contributions are tax deductible, and much needed and can be sent to: Caring and Sharing of South Santa Rosa County, Inc., P.O. Box 5521, Navarre, Florida 32566.



By clicking on these links:  GULF BREEZE NEWS DONATION FORM or NAVARRE PRESS DONATION FORM you can help us financially, and get a couple of great newspapers besides,

From the bottom of our hearts we thank you all!!!!


Two Caring & Compassionate Forces of Good Combine Efforts in Santa Rosa County
 
            Many local community members know about two considerate, goal-minded organizations: Interfaith Ministries and Caring and Sharing of South Santa Rosa County.  Sometimes one will be mistaken for the other, but they are very much two separate organizations that share similar objectives – to make a difference.
 
            Interfaith Ministries began their operation in 2000 operating a thrift shop and a financial assistance office helping people in need in our community with housing, utilities, emergency travel, and other emergent items including food and clothing.  The Good Samaritan Clinic was added under the Interfaith Ministries management in 2004. “We are open throughout the year and over time we have seen the need for support increase during the Holidays,” stated Shirley Cornett, Director of Interfaith Ministries.  “So it’s a natural combination of our efforts to supplement Caring and Sharing’s Christmas undertaking as their clothing and linens distribution location, which allows them to focus more on the food and toys during Holiday distribution.”   
 
            Caring and Sharing of South Santa Rosa County began their operation in 1978 by the VanDerryt Family, and have long since continued the tradition of serving families with food boxes and clothing during the Holiday season.  The distributions are purposefully scheduled in support of the customary Thanksgiving and Christmas school breaks.  Any person or family needing help must register during one of the three interview dates to be held on October 15-17 at the new Liberty Church on 6006 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze.    
 
Both operations are 501(c) corporations, and are run by volunteers trying to make a positive difference in the lives of people in need.  “The program has become more and more strained, donations have decreased; yet every year we see the demand increase and more regular folk fall victim to the rough economic times and need our support,” declared Ann Thompson, President of Caring and Sharing.
 
            “Last year we operated on a budget of $50,000 with less than 2% of the donated funds going towards administrative costs.” reported Teresa Vincent, Treasurer for Caring and Sharing.  Operating expenses are kept to a minimal because the operation is 100% volunteer based, food boxes and printing needs are sought out and donated, plus the organization only has a website and phone number and holds organizational meetings at the GBUMC Soundside Campus.  Food drives and generous donations come from individuals, local businesses, community based organizations such as Publix, Boy Scouts, the Optimist clubs, and various others.  Local churches support the angel toy drives which are part of the Christmas gift giving program.  “In the past when donations and food supply were low the local churches and their worshippers coordinate food drives and miraculously at the right time and in the right amounts we found a way to maintain,” stated Mike Sandler, Distribution and Operations Manager.  “This year is already a bit tighter as we had to make a necessary cut to our ‘shoes, socks and underwear’ portion of the program this year due to budget funding constraints.”    
 
            CNN has reported that more Americans fell below poverty line last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released this month.  CNN also reported that the nation’s poverty rate rose to 15.1% in 2010, up from 14.3% in 2009 and to its highest level since 1993.
 
            For more information, or to make a tax deductible financial contribution please send to: P.O. Box 5521, Navarre, Florida 32566.  To volunteer please call: 850-939-0727, or visit the organizations website at: www.santarosacares.org.
 
For more information on the chili charity event visit: www.juanaspagodas.com.
 
            For more information on Interfaith Ministries visit them at: 4435 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, or call: 850-934-8385.   
 
                                                                        
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Refer To: CH10774
Caring and Sharing of South Santa Rosa County is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

                    Juana’s Pagoda & Sailors’ Grill to hold 18th Annual                                                Chili Cook-off to benefit Caring & Sharing

Submitted by: Robyn S. Philips, Caring & Sharing Publicity Chairman                                                                                                                                                            Mobile Phone: (850) 501-0537 / Email: r.philips@mchsi.com

    The Eighteenth Annual Chili Cook-off event took place on Sunday, October 23rd at Juana's Pagoda, Navarre Beach.  Many locals and friends came out to this fun fall outreach event sponsored by Juana's Pagoda to benefit Caring & Sharing.  Last year over a hundred persons participated in tasting and judging with over $2,500 collected for Caring & Sharing. This year it was around $3,000  "This has been a rock-steady, yearly fundraiser for us and it never fails to run short of fun, food and reliable donators which in turn feed those in need!" (Ann Thompson, President, Caring and Sharing of South Santa Rosa County)

         There were 24 pre-cooked, warmed chili in a crock pots to taste. .  There were various competition categories such as; "People’s Choice”, “Fowl Chili”, “Double Burner” and "Bean There Farted That". There was a pick-a-prize drawing where everyone is a winner, plus a chance to win $1,000.  Many participants walked off with great prizes.  This year's Thousand dollar winner was Caring and Sharing. (YEAH) We would like to thank  Juana's Pagoda, who  have been unwaivering supporters and Mandy Evers, a great friend to Caring and Sharing, the organizer of the event.   Thank you to all those who participated, without you, we are nothing.

The winners of each chili culinary catagory can be found here:     http://www.santarosacares.org/Images/2011awards.pdf      (use your browser's back button to exit document)

For more information on this charity event and other happenings please visit: www.juanaspagodas.com.For more information, and/or to volunteer please call Caring & Sharing at: (850) 939-0727.  Financial contributions are very much needed, tax deductible and can be sent to: Caring and Sharing of South Santa Rosa County, Inc., P.O. Box 5521, Navarre, Florida 32566.  Or visit the organizations website: www.santarosacares.org.

Caring & Sharing is a 100% volunteer organization, there are no paid employees.  The mission is to aid families in South Santa Rosa County over the Holiday scheduled school breaks that need a bit of food assistance and hope to carry them through rough times.

Caring & Sharing of South Santa Rosa County's Thanksgiving Distribution volunteer day on Saturday, 11/19/11, these very cute volunteers from "Girl Scout SDA 633 Navarre" wrote Happy Thanksgiving cards, complete with colorful drawings for the clients who would receive the food box(es) on Sunday's Distribution day (a client only day)

       
HOME