OBI delivers about 80,000 lbs. of food weekly to partner organization, The Volunteer Way, helping them reach more than 600 families each week.

New Port Richey, Fla. – Lester Cypher has been helping hungry families for years—but recently, he’s turned to water to help feed even more people in need.

Founder of The Volunteer Way in Florida, Cypher started helping a handful of people in 1992 and eventually grew into a food bank that now serves 600 families every week.

But as the economy continued to struggle, Cypher began to think outside the box for additional ways to supplement food for families.

And he found that solution in hydroponic gardening.

Hydroponics literally means “water working,” but in gardening terms, it refers to growing plants using nutrient balanced water instead of fertilized soil, and produces a high yield of highly nutritious vegetables.

The Volunteer Way’s hydroponic gardening is producing lots of fresh vegetables that they combine with Operation Blessing’s provisions to distribute in the community.

Thanks to the gardens, they are now able to supplement the shelf-stable items provided from Operation Blessing with fresh produce—providing an even more balanced diet.  

Every week, OBI’s Hunger Strike Force trucks deliver two tractor-trailer loads of food to The Volunteer Way, which equals about 80,000 pounds of food. Last year alone, OBI delivered 4 million pounds of food supplies.

“Without that 4 million pounds,” Cypher said, “there would be children going hungry … there would be elderly who are isolated in their homes and would not receive the food they need.”

Thanks in part to the help of Operation Blessing, The Volunteer Way is able to help 20,000 families every month through food boxes, their soup kitchen, and by allocating food to another 52 non-profits who come each month to pick up food to distribute in their respective communities.

“I can’t express how great of a ‘blessing’ Operation Blessing has been to The Volunteer Way food bank,” Cypher said. “We are thankful for partners like OBI.”

The Volunteer Way is just one of more than 5,000 partnering ministries across the U.S. that receive truckloads of food and product from Operation Blessing. To help more families in need, click here. For every $25 we receive, we can provide one family with groceries for a month!

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Every day, Operation Blessing brings nutritious food and essential supplies to thousands facing hunger and poverty in America and around the world. With your help, we can continue to impact lives and give hope to those who need it most. Consider making an online donation today.

 

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