2023 National Day of Service with Helping Hands Food Pantry

Before 2020, the Helping Hands Food Pantry of Wesley Chapel was serving about 50 families per week with donations of food and essentials. Once COVID-19 took full effect, the pantry went to providing bags of food for over 500 families weekly. Three years later, the need continues to grow with no sight of a diminishing line of families in need in our near future. 

The GFWC Pasco Juniors used the opportunity of September 30th, our GFWC National Day of Service, to assist with collecting nonperishable foods for the local pantry. In the four hours on a Saturday afternoon, our ladies assisted volunteers with collecting and organizing over 1,400 pounds of food. 

If you know someone in need in the Wesley Chapel Area, distributions are made on Wednesday Mornings located at 29617 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel, FL 33545. 

Find out more about the Helping Hands Pantry of Wesley Chapel online Here.

Bunco To The Rescue

 This year's Dog Days of Summer Bunco Fundraiser was another raving success. With 44 players, the GFWC Pasco Juniors provided a fun filled afternoon for community members. In addition to ticket sales, opportunity baskets were donated by local businesses and community members for additional donations. This year's proceeds are benefitting Love to the Rescue and Planned Pethood of Zephyrhills. 

Love to the Rescue is a local nonprofit on a mission to bring dogs from the animal services shelter into their own foster homes. This personalized attention allows the animal to be observed and placed with a truly fur-ever home when ready for adoption. Click on their logo above to see who in their care needs adopting.

Planned Pethood offers affordable veterinarian services in Pasco County. At their Zephyrhills location, Pasco Animal Services and residents can bring in a trapped, stray feline to be vaccinated, neutered, and prepared to be released back to its home. This program is at a minimal cost and greatly reduces the population of cats in Pasco County. Click on their logo above to find out more about their services.

Make sure to follow the GFWC Pasco Juniors on Facebook for next year's Bunco fundraiser and other upcoming events!

A Small Blessing In Every Bag

At their June General Meeting, The GFWC Pasco Junior Woman's Club members gathered to get an update from Leona Wells about the services provided by Metropolitan Ministries. Starting from a collaboration of 13 churches in the Tampa, Florida, Metro Min has grown larger every year in the number of families assisted and volunteer hours provided. After 51 years, they now have 3 different outreach centers locations in the area; Dade City, Holiday, and Downtown Tampa. According to United Way, 56% of people in Pasco County are asset limited/income constrained, meaning they are employed people who are still at risk of becoming homeless. 

Metro Min's outreach centers provide guidance and services to public resources in the area to connect these individuals or families with support that can assist with their need. In addition to the outreach centers, the 2 of their campuses also house 300 families every night that are under their care for midterm shelter. Their program averages a 6-8 month stay while undergoing counseling and educational programs to transition these families out of homelessness and into a stable living situation with an 89% success rate.

Another program that Metro Min provides in the area is their Pasco Metro BrigAIDe. This mobile unit provides support to the homeless that are in Pasco County and not currently in a midterm shelter. The GFWC Pasco Juniors assembled 100 blessing bags filled with essentials for the Metro BrigAIDe. In an assembly line style, the members grabbed a reusable bag and started to fill it with hygiene essentials, snacks, and reusable food utensils. These bags will be distributed throughout Pasco County to give a little "blessing" to each who receives one.

A Huge Thank You to all who donated items for our 100 Blessing Bags!

The Cleaning Pros

Lucas, Macyszyn, and Dyer Law Firm

Florida Department of Health

Connerton Dental Care

GFWC Blue Umbrella Club

Morningstar Storage in Wesley Chapel