91��Ƭ

Fresh food will be distributed to Marion County families Saturday, Jan. 30, starting at 10 a.m. at the College of Central Florida Hampton Center, 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd., through a partnership of Farm Share, 91��Ƭ, state Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson and Ocala City Councilman Ire Bethea.

Food items are for Marion County residents and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants will be asked to show their IDs. Volunteers will place food items in vehicle trunks to maintain social distancing. Entrance to the drive-through distribution will be at the main entrance of the college on Silver Springs Boulevard. Other entrances will be blocked off. Approximately 500 families will receive food through the distribution.

“It is an honor to work with Rep. Hinson and Councilman Bethea to provide a convenient location and volunteers to distribute food through Food Share during this trying time. It is important that we work together as a community to meet the critical needs of our Marion County residents” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, president of the College of Central Florida.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has upended our entire way of life,” said Rep. Hinson. “So many Floridian families find themselves suffering due to financial loss, food insecurity, or the loss of loved ones. In these times, we must look towards each other for support. That is why I am so excited to be working with the City of Ocala and local community leaders on this upcoming Farm Share event to ensure that our neighbors get the food and support they need. This is the beautiful thing about our district. We know how to come together and overcome.”

Councilman Bethea said: “We are always looking for opportunities for the community to come together for those citizens in need of our assistance. We cherish this opportunity to serve.”

Farm Share is a nonprofit organization based in Jacksonville founded to distribute fresh food free of charge to families, children, seniors and individuals in need throughout Florida. It delivers more than 88 million pounds of healthy and nutritious food each year.

For more information, contact Jessica Kummerle at 352-854-2322, ext. 1598.