The South Shore News & Tribune
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Idle Food Pantry To Get Jump-Start
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Published: October 1, 2008
RUSKIN - During the 1970s, Sammie Zipperer and Joe Scionti founded the South Hillsborough Community Cupboard in an effort to feed people in need.
Zipperer, owner of Zipperer's Agape Mortuary and Funeral Home, and Scionti, manager of the Ruskin Community Service Center, set up the free pantry to provide temporary help for people who could not qualify for county assistance.
Several area churches used to donate canned or boxed food, but as the area grew, some started their own food pantries. With fewer donations, the pantry served fewer and fewer people. It remained open but barely operational.
Zipperer's son, Tony, and service center manager Dee Fridella recently approached Melanie Morrison, executive director of the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce, about resuming full operations. To do so, cash and food donations would be required. The chamber will be a collection point for donations.
Fridella said she plans to visit churches, schools and civic organizations asking them to adopt the pantry for a month and be responsible for collecting donations. To keep it going, she said supplies will need to be replenished.
"This is an effort to crank things back up," she said. "We want to work in concert with other food pantries in the area."
Fridella said the facility will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The chamber and the service center's advisory board have also partnered to serve Thanksgiving dinner to up to 500 hungry people Nov. 27.
Beanie's Family Sports Grill, 2002 U.S. 41 S., in Ruskin, will host the dinner.
"We'll be cooking turkeys and the fixings in a tent outside on the property," said Beanie Tichy, co-owner of the restaurant.
Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. until the food runs out, Morrison said.
To make a donation, get involved or learn about the dinner or cupboard, call (813) 645-3808 or (813) 671-7647, ext. 222.
REACHING OUT
Melanie Morrison, executive director of the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce, is helping the South Hillsborough Community Cupboard get back in order. Also, Beanie's Family Sports Grill, 2002 U.S. 41 S., in Ruskin, will host a Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 27 for 500 people. To help with either effort, call (813) 645-3808 or (813) 671-7647, ext. 222.
Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.
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