On Friday, March 6, the Citrus Hills Bad Golfers Association (BGA) continued its presentation of donations to the Citrus County Blessings with a check for over $3,000.
To date, the BGA has donated over $144,000 to charities in the Citrus County community in the past 15 years. Over $30,000 has gone to the Blessings program.
Our golfers really believe in making sure our Citrus County kids have sufficient nutrition to sustain a good learning environment all year long. The Blessings program provides food to over 3,000 students in 31 local schools every Friday throughout the school year. There are several wives and other sports with volunteers that help to pack the backpacks on Fridays for the kids to take home. Additionally, students receive extra food to take home over school breaks, including a fresh produce program over the summer break.
In Citrus County, more than 93 percent of school-going children are enrolled in the free and reduced-price meal program. Through the Blessings program, they receive additional support that helps to ensure they don’t spend a weekend with an empty belly.
Each child is recommended for the program by a school staff member and their identities remain confidential.
BGA golfers Len Ciriello and Peter Bockiaro volunteer their time as well as donating to the Blessings program, helping to pack and distribute food to children in need. The Blessings program utilizes two staff members and over 400 volunteers each month from the 900 registered volunteers to transport pallets, pack bags, and deliver food to schools.