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Food Bank Offers Needy A Hand Up

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By DEREK MAUL, Tribune correspondent

Published: October 3, 2007

Updated: 10/01/2007 11:23 pm

EDITOR'S NOTE: This occasional series spotlights the heads of local charities and civic organizations. This week's column features Linda Lawson, executive director of United Food Bank & Services of Plant City, 712 E. Alsobrook St. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The phone number is (813) 764-0625.

PLANT CITY - Linda Lawson sees a strong connection between faith and action. Jesus told his followers what it means to feed the hungry. 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' (Matthew 25:40) For Lawson, the imperative is clear. 'We encourage self-sufficiency, and we offer hope,' she said.

Q. How long have you directed the food bank?

A. We opened the doors Sept.1, 1999. We have served 45,937 individuals served to date and given away 1,605,515 pounds of food.

Q. Has the need changed?

A. It's grown. We're seeing more and more people. For example, four years ago we noticed there were extra children in the summer, kids who received free and reduced lunches. That year we fed 200 extra kids.

The next year we had almost 700 extra. Last year we had 1,185. This year there were 2,071. We give enough for breakfast and lunch every day. We went through over 60,000 pounds of groceries just over the summer.

Q. Why a central food bank?

A. A lot of church pantries don't demand accountability. We do. Without accountability there's no responsibility. There's scamming and duplicating, but also true needs. I'd encourage churches to invest in us and let us do it for them. We can ask the right questions, we can screen them. We don't offer a handout; we offer a hand up.

Q. How widespread is the need?

A. Over 95-98 percent of our clients are below poverty guidelines. The others have fallen on temporary hard times. Things knock people out of good situations, and they struggle.

Q. Why are people hungry?

A. There's as many reasons as there are people. Single moms with children making minimum wage, and there's just not enough to buy food. Then senior citizens who are on a fixed income and they can't get a job.

They make decisions every month between food and medicine.

Q. But we have a robust economy?

A. My clients don't play the stock market.

Q. How can we fix this?

A. I have a vision I've expressed to a lot of people. We need a vocational technical center in this area. The common thread I've seen is one thing: lack of job skills. We've got to get them trained. Can they afford school? No, but we can get businesses to sponsor a student - then that person becomes a great employee. Getting people into the work force at a decent wage level would raise our community standard of living.

Q. Where does your passion come from?

A. It's a God thing. I've never been hungry but God laid it on my heart; it was a still small voice. I said I'm willing but I don't have a clue. It was 10-15 years before I started this. God kept speaking.

Q. Is this truly a 'community' food bank?

A. Plant City is the most caring place. It doesn't matter what you need, somebody is willing to help. I don't feel alone, this is a community food bank. No one can supply it all, but if everyone does something thousands of needs are met.

Q. Is there anything you need?

A. We need a huge building. I not only want to house a food bank, with a nice big conference room, but I want to start training life skills.

Banking and credit 101, first-time home buyers, write a great resume, present themselves. ... And that's just the beginning.

Q. You like to teach?

A. I do seminars: 'Dress like a million dollars for a few bucks,' I've taught 'Image' at Hillsborough Community College to women looking for promotion opportunities - everything from hygiene to conflict management, to dress on a budget.

Q. Where were you raised?

A. Around Plant City. I was born here in 1944. My family - the Mertas - owned a farm on South Dover Road. My mom was born and raised in Turkey Creek. I graduated Turkey Creek High School in 1963.

Q. When were you married?

A. I dated Bill Lawson eight months; we fell madly in love then married in 1962 when school got out. We have three children and seven grandchildren. I stayed home when the children were in school then ran my own real estate office. Later I looked after my mom, worked at the chamber of commerce, and did some part-time banking work. I started this when I was 55 and I claim my later years being my better years.

God is good; I want to effect changes.

Q. What do you do for fun?

A. I love my family, I mentor two Plant City High students, my husband and I coordinate the welcome center and greeters at River Hills Church of God, I train other churches in greeter ministry, and I like to teach. I'm the chamber of commerce ambassador program chairperson, and I'm in the American Businesswomen's Association as well as the Civitans. I don't do anything just to look good, I believe in it all, and I enjoy it.

Q. You said you sell jewelry?

A. Yes, my business is Sassy but Classy accessories and gifts.

Q. What Scripture inspires you?

A. Psalm 23; it answers everything. That's where I get my guidance and my inspiration. Where God guides he provides. I love this work.

Is there someone you would like profiled? Call Derek Maul at (813) 245-2304 or e-mail him at derekmaul@gmail.com.

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