The Volunteer Way Inc. (TVW) has had a very exciting year with all our community and state-wide programs. We have started
new programs and expanded our existing programs. TVW is truly what our name implies, people helping people The Volunteer
Way. The following are some of the programs we have in place to help the hurting people of Florida.
FOOD BANK: In 2005 we distribute, free of any fees, 5,000,000 pounds of
food to food pantries and soup kitchens throughout Florida. We have over 80 hunger relief organizations partnering with TVW
to end hunger in Florida. We also partner with two other food banks, to help them serve their hunger relief partners. We assist
15,000 families each month. The area which we serve extends from the state’s east coast to its west coast and from
Ocala to Sarasota.
FOOD PANTRY: Over 400 low-income people come to our food bank to receive a food box each month.
We also give them personal items and paper goods free of any costs.
T.E.F.A.P: We have the contract with the Department of Agriculture to distribute U.S.D.A. commodities
to Citrus County and have double the participation of hunger relief charities in that area. We have also sent essentials,
other then commodities, to Citrus County, approximately 50,000 pounds of food each month, free to help the nutritionally
challenged of Citrus.
OPERATION STREET GRACE: We are partnering with the Sheriff's office to keep our food bags
in deputies’ vehicles to give to any homeless or hungry people that they meet during their normal duty. TVW also has
two ministries, which know the location of the homeless camps, and they bring food, personal items and paper goods to their
campsites.
ACCESS Program: With this program, we assist the needy in filling out applications for
Medicaid, food stamps, emergency funds, and Medicare Prescription Drug Program. We have partnered with the Department of Children
and Families to help people receive the help they need and are eligible for. We have over 400 families coming to our food
bank each month for help, and we will make them aware of the possible benefits they are entitled to receive. We will have
these services in English and Spanish.
BROWN BAG PROGRAM: Our Brown Bag Program serves the low-income homebound elderly with 40 to 50
pounds of food each month. We sit and talk with them. They may not have talked to anybody for weeks. This helps with their
loneliness and isolation. We also send a cleaning crew to clean their homes once a month if they are unable to clean for themselves.
LITTLE ANGEL PROGRAM: This is our program for mentally challenged people of Pasco County.
They come to our facility with their providers, where we teach them life skills and provide them with the opportunity to help
around our office and warehouse.
