Lady Lake, FL — The Orange Blossom Gardens (OBG) Lions Club has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to addressing food insecurity in the region through support for the Community of Gratitude Food Pantry. As families across Central Florida face rising costs and increasing need, the Pantry continues to serve as a critical lifeline, providing essential groceries, meal supplies, and emergency food assistance to hundreds of households each month.
This November, the OBG Lions further strengthened this partnership with several contributions
underscoring the Club’s dedication to service, compassion, and community impact.
Last week, the Club donated 100 Walmart gift cards ($10 each) to assist the Pantry’s annual holiday meal program, helping local families prepare for the season with dignity and stability. Shortly after, Lions members delivered the results of the Club’s October Community Food Drive, where local residents contributed more than 500 non-perishable food items. The OBG Lions then matched this total with an additional 500 items, resulting in more than 1,000 donated goods supporting local households experiencing food insecurity.
Food insecurity continues to affect families in every part of the region, including working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and individuals facing unexpected medical or financial hardship. Community food pantries like Community of Gratitude play a vital role in bridging those gaps, ensuring that no family is left without the essentials they need to get through the week.
When Lions members arrived to deliver the October donations, they learned that the Pantry’s three-wide commercial refrigerator unit had failed beyond repair, causing the loss of critical cold storage capacity and a significant amount of perishable food. The failure placed immediate strain on the Pantry’s operations at one of the busiest times of the year.
Recognizing the urgency, the OBG Lions convened an emergency board meeting, then brought the matter to the full membership on Wednesday, November 12. The Club voted to fund an immediate solution. The Lions purchased two brand-new, 20-cubic-foot refrigerator units (freezerless) to restore the Pantry’s cold-storage needs and prevent future distribution interruptions. In addition, the Club will purchase $500 in replacement food to help cover the loss caused by the equipment breakdown.
“Our mission is grounded in service, and moments like this demonstrate the true value of community partnerships,” said Barbara Crewell, President of the OBG Lions Club. “The Community of Gratitude Food Pantry is essential to the well-being of our neighbors. When an unexpected setback occurs, the Lions step forward to ensure that families continue to receive the support they rely on.”
OBG Lion Robert Vass added, “Food insecurity is a very real challenge for many. By working together with donors, volunteers, and organizations like Community of Gratitude, we can make sure that help is available when it’s needed most. Gratitude isn’t just a theme for the season; it’s the foundation of how we serve.”
The Orange Blossom Gardens Lions Club encourages community members to join in supporting this essential work. Contributions help the Lions respond quickly to urgent needs and continue funding programs that directly impact local individuals and families.
Donations may be made securely online at www.obglions.com, or by mailing a check made payable to OBG Lions to:
Robert Vass
