CBS12’s Feed the Need at the Treasure Coast Food Bank

Ft. Pierce, FLA. (WPEC) — DONATE HERE

Our Feed the Need campaign is taking us to Fort Pierce to the Treasure Coast Food Bank.

The organization helps feed hundreds of thousands of families, and recently, it has also lost millions in federal funding.

The food bank now needs your help to fill in the gaps so it can continue serving the community.

The Treasure Coast Food Bank serves in Martin, St Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties.

The non-profit serves over 250,000 people a week, and that number is only expected to go up this summer, according to CEO Judy Cruz.

“We’re a little busier than we had anticipated with all of the changes that have been happening at the federal level,” said Cruz. “It’s really affected not only the food bank and our ability, and what we’re able to do, but it’s also affected the community.”

Cruz tells CBS12 News the TCFB lost $9 million in federal grants

“It’s when the light switch turns on immediately, you don’t have that time to plan long term how you’re going to make up those revenues or those funds,” she shared.

This has forced the food bank to make changes to what it offers its clients, including a reduced variety of food.

With the recent tariffs and inflation, getting food and supplies to their warehouses is proving difficult.

“Normally we work directly with manufacturers, and we’ll say we’ll take 12 truckloads of peanut butter this year, and we’re not able to do that because of the costs,” said Cruz.

It’s a daunting reality for the Treasure Coast Food Bank, considering they serve over 55 million meals annually.

They were the source of meals and supplies for the Spanish Lakes Country Club for three months after an EF-3 tornado ripped through the community during Hurricane Milton last October.

They hope to continue to be the shoulder the community relies on when times get tough.

Every day is an action day for us. Whether we’re taking action for disaster or summer hunger. We’re always trying to take a step ahead in the game,” said Cruz.

That’s where you can step in! Your generous donations will help make sure kids and families don’t go hungry this summer.

“We’re encouraging the public to become involved. This is your food bank, this doesn’t belong to me. It’s the community’s,” said Cruz.

With the buying power from the Treasure Coast Food Bank, your dollar stretches further; one dollar makes eight meals.

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