The Neighborhood Center of South Lake

Client Testimonial - Todd

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 21:42:58 GMT

Todd visited the food pantry during a challenging time and found more than just healthy meals. He was connected to resources that supported his job search and provided assistance with housing expenses, helping him regain stability.

Client Testimonial - Gary

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 21:41:49 GMT

Gary turned to the food pantry for support and discovered a network of resources to address his immediate needs. From fresh, nutritious food to guidance on managing mortgage payments, the pantry helped him move forward with confidence.

Client Testimonial - Robin

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 20:36:58 GMT

Robin utilized the food pantry’s services to access healthy food and vital resources. With their support, they found assistance for rent and helpful tools for job searching, giving them hope and a path to a brighter future.

The Neighborhood Newsletter - Inaugural issue

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 20:14:01 GMT

Meet Our Neighbors – Sara’s Family

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 15:13:00 GMT

Every week, the Neighborhood Center of South Lake serves over 400 families, each with a unique story and circumstances. Sara, wife, and mother of 3 beautiful children, shares her story of uncertainty and relief as she discovers the Center and that there is a wonderful place where families become family and dignity and respect matter.

The oldest, Laurie, is 7 years old and described as a leader in training. “She’s going to be the CEO of a company someday,” Sara shares. She loves animals and is responsible for caring for the family’s two dogs, one cat, and four chickens – a chore she takes very seriously. She also loves to read and always goes straight to the little library that the Center has for children to select and keep one or two books while they wait for their food cart.

Thomas is the “mechanical dude.” He is always taking things apart and putting them back together. Because he loves off-road trucks, he regularly watches “everything truck” on YouTube with his Dad. Often, he can be found quietly observing processes for just about anything and then asking many questions that are truly beyond his years (he is just 4 years old).

The youngest, Christopher (almost 3 years old), loves nature and helped plant the family garden. He is fascinated by insects and their little world, but he also loves helping Laurie care for the animals. Like many “youngest” in families, he is fearless and enjoys following his siblings everywhere.

Sara and her husband also welcomed two of their nephews during the summer to stay in their home. Ethan (5 years old) is a sweet little boy that is often thought of as their fourth child. His parents are separated, unfortunately, but he brings his little light wherever he goes. Angelo has just moved to Florida from Indiana and is staying with Sara while his Dad tries to find a place for them to live – a task that is increasingly difficult for so many families because of the rising cost of rent and other expenses.

For 10 years, Sara proudly served her community as a paramedic. However, her pregnancy with Thomas was considered high-risk and she opted to take advantage of the 12 weeks of leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). When her leave could not be extended, she opted to be terminated with the promise of rehire to care for her newborn son.

When COVID began in 2020, she was pregnant with her youngest and taking care of Laurie and Thomas full-time. It became very difficult to navigate the family’s budget to meet their daily living expenses. After Christopher was born, she learned about The Neighborhood Center of South Lake. Sara recalls, “I felt so weird about calling the Pantry for help – I had never had to do that before and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But everyone was so gracious and so kind. It was like being with family.” Sara’s children immediately made friends with the volunteers and staff – one of their favorites is the “lollipop lady,” also known as Dina Sweatt, a Center Volunteer and Board member.

The Future

Today, Sara is caring for her children full-time and hopes someday to explore her passion for teaching. She knows that after witnessing so much trauma in her career as a paramedic, her days in the ambulance are done. In addition to nurturing her own family, she assists foster families within her Church and attributes this to the ability parents find within themselves to not only love their own children but to extend help and love to our neighbors as well.

Like every family that comes through our doors, Sara’s family is our family. Not only are they our neighbors, but they are also your neighbors. Each month the Center welcomes nearly 100 new families, just like Sara’s and we need our community’s support to help our neighbors in need. Please help us continue to support these families by visiting https://www.tncsl.org/ways-to-help/donorsnap/ . Your gift gives the promise of food security – a gift that is truly priceless.

Thank you for your support.

The post Meet Our Neighbors – Sara’s Family appeared first on The Neighborhood Center of South Lake .

Faith, Service and Kindness – Meet Mary Sue and Fred Staudt

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 20:03:00 GMT

Because of the relationships our volunteers develop with so many clients, they also have many wonderful stories from their experiences. One of Mary Sue’s most memorable days occurred when a homeless man came into the pantry with the soles of his shoes taped and tied with strings to his feet. She greeted him with the beautiful, kind smile she greets everyone although her heart was aching knowing this man was in dire straits. After asking him how he was doing, he responded ‘okay’ and then lifted one of his feet up and jokingly shared ‘I might need some new shoes soon.’ Mary Sue asked him what size he wore (the Center sometimes has other items including shoes to provide to some of our clients who need a little more help). He replied, ‘size 10’ and before Mary Sue could even reply, one of the other volunteers from the Elders Missionaries Group took off his brand new sneakers, handed them to the client and said ‘please take mine, they are a size 10.’ Everyone in produce witnessed this selfless and generous kindness and there were many tears. The client graciously accepted the shoes, thanked the young man, put them on and smiled from ear to ear. The Elder worked the rest of the day in his socks, but he, too, never stopped smiling.

Happy National Volunteer Month!

The post Faith, Service and Kindness – Meet Mary Sue and Fred Staudt appeared first on The Neighborhood Center of South Lake .

Meet Volunteer Rachel

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 19:05:00 GMT

Meet Volunteer Rachel!

When you first meet Rachel, you can’t help but smile. She has a presence that is calming and kind, which are qualities that make her an incredible person, yes, but also an outstanding volunteer. Since 2019, the Neighborhood Center of South Lake (TNC) has been very fortunate to have Rachel volunteer and help our neighbors in need.

Rachel and her family are very active in their Church and community (her grandfather was Clermont visionary and philanthropist Don Wickham). At a Church group, she began helping children with special needs and met Trish Kry, CEO of the Neighborhood Center. It wasn’t too long before she began volunteering at the Center and continues to help now when her busy schedule allows.

Asked about her first impressions, Rachel shared, “I had an idea of what ‘food security’ meant, but I didn’t realize there was a place like the Neighborhood Center and the amount of food and assistance they give to so many people.” She adds, “It’s really a blessing to be a part of something so special and helping so many people in our community.”

Although recruiting was not part of her volunteer duties, Rachel convinced her dad (Keith) to volunteer, too. Like his daughter, he was greatly moved by the mission and worked tirelessly to assist wherever he could. When a position opened in Operations, Keith was hired immediately. When asked what it’s like to work with her father, Rachel shares, “My Dad is always so happy and energetic no matter how hard he works. It makes me happy to see him so happy. I’m very lucky to be able to work with him at the Center.”

The time Rachel gives to the Center now is a little less than it was when she started 4 years ago. She is currently working full-time as a Teacher’s Assistant at the Key to Learning Center and is studying for her certification as a Registered Behavior Technician. As she contemplates her future, she knows she will always make time to help others. She shares, “Volunteering is something I love doing – especially if I can help put smiles on people’s faces and give them hope.”

The Neighborhood Center of South Lake is the Heartbeat of Hope for so many. And, as we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation this month, we know there would be no heartbeat without volunteers like Rachel and the many more who help deliver our mission every day. The care and compassion our volunteers give to each and every neighbors are gifts that we treasure every day!

The post Meet Volunteer Rachel appeared first on The Neighborhood Center of South Lake .