Community Cupboard is open to all residents of Ruskin, Apollo Beach, Riverview, Sun City, and Wimauma. The pantry is currently at capacity, so new registrations are only accepted on the 1st Monday of each month.
The pantry is open every Tuesday from 7:30 to 10:00 AM.
Community Cupboard is a 501(c)(3) non-profit run entirely by volunteers. It distributes food through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), a federal program under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The pantry has been serving the community since 1979 and distributes an average of 20,000 pounds of food a week to around 650 families. Volunteers kick off each Tuesday morning with prayer and put in 210+ hours of service per week. For questions, you can reach the pantry at WSimonz@Yahoo.com or call (813) 645-1305.
The pantry offers a variety of food items. Publix donates day-old bread, which volunteers pick up from the Apollo Beach and Ruskin locations on Monday and Tuesday mornings. The majority of other food products come from Feeding Tampa Bay. Items distributed have included canned goods, cereal, ham, and more.
Distribution is drive-up style. Reviewers note that visitors are expected to open their trunk so volunteers can load the food, or to let someone know where to place it.
You can donate online through Pushpay with a bank account or credit card. In-person giving is available at the church using Giving envelopes in the sanctuary. Checks can also be mailed to Calvary Lutheran Church, Attn: Financial Secretary, 1250 E. College Ave., Ruskin, FL 33570. For special projects, contact Pastor Nathan at (813) 645-3061 or Nathan@Calvaryalive.org.
Volunteers are the heart of the Community Cupboard. Opportunities include helping on Tuesday mornings, picking up bread from Publix on Monday and Tuesday mornings, or picking up food from Feeding Tampa Bay on Friday mornings. Many roles have no physical requirements other than a positive attitude, though some jobs involve lifting up to 50 lbs. To get involved, email WSimonz@Yahoo.com or call (813) 645-1305.
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