CROS News

Thank you to Publix Supermarket Charities for their support of our Community Food Pantry Program. Their continued investment enables us to provide nutritious food to individuals and families facing food insecurity, like Frank. Frank, a skilled roofer with more than 22 years of experience, unexpectedly found himself in need after being laid off due to the housing market slowdown. Thanks to Publix Supermarket Charities, we were able to offer him and his family food assistance during this challenging period. Their commitment to our pantry program creates a meaningful impact on the lives of people navigating unforeseen hardships.

Thank you to Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties and your donors for investing in CROS Ministries and helping us to serve the hungry in Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Thanks to you we can help someone like Thomas and his family. Recently, Thomas’ car broke down in the Wellington Community Center’s parking lot. When he came back the next morning to wait for a tow truck, he saw that our Mobile Food Pantry was there and walked over to see if he could receive some food for him and his family. The bag of food was an unexpected blessing having to now pay for the tow truck and to get his car fixed.

Twelve years ago, Larry joined our pantries’ warehouse volunteer team, picking up boxes of food from numerous storage units in Lake Worth and delivering the food to our pantries often in their own vehicles. He says he has made life-long friends through volunteering with CROS, and the group regularly go to breakfast or lunch together when they finish helping to unload the food from our warehouse truck at the pantries. He is proud to be a part of CROS Ministries and helping to serve people in need. In 2018, we honored Larry by nominating him for the Area Agency on Aging Palm Beach/Treasure Coast Prime Time Awards, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of senior volunteers in our community. Thank you, Larry! If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering with CROS, please see below for our latest volunteer opportunities or contact Rev. Juanita Bryant Goode at [email protected].

 Joe joined the CROS Board of Directors in 2010 and served through 2019 before rotating off and joining the Board again in 2022. He connected with CROS through the Society of St. Andrew’s Gleaning Network, whom he had worked with in Virginia before moving to Florida. Joe said, “As a farmer, my God given talents revolve around food production and feeding people.” He has used these talents to help CROS grow our own gleaning program while also providing a strategic and well-rounded perspective on our Board. When asked why he continues to volunteer with CROS he said, “It's simple… because of good people, good cause, and tremendous need!!!” We greatly appreciate Joe sharing his limited time with us between farming and also volunteering in different capacities at his church. Thank you, Joe for your time, talents, and expertise helping CROS Ministries to serve the hungry in our community!

Janet has volunteered with CROS in various capacities for many years and has served as the CROS Liaison for her church, First Congregational Church of Lake Worth since 2015. She enjoys volunteering at our pantries, participating in our gleaning events, helping to sort and bag food at our warehouse, and walking in support of our annual Hustle to End Hunger 5K Walk/Run event in October. Organizing food drives for CROS at her church which involves the entire congregation, she says, is also very rewarding (and fun) for her, as well. “The mission of CROS to serve the hungry resonates with me,” says Janet. “CROS is well organized and has well planned service opportunities makes volunteering so easy. The staff is sincere, welcoming, and appreciative which makes volunteering a pleasure.” Thank you, Janet, for choosing CROS to share your big heart and generous spirit as well as being a great CROS Liaison, connecting your church to the many activities and volunteer opportunities at CROS.

When Barbara was ready to retire after a long career as an Interior Designer, she knew she would not be able to stay idle for long. A quick search on the internet connected her to CROS and our Delray Beach Food Pantry. In January, after 11 years and at the age of 95 years old, she let us know that it was time for her to stop volunteering with us. Barbara helped keep the pantry in what she called “shippy-shape” taking pride in leaving the pantry neatly organized for the next shift. She even went so far as to study the stockers at grocery stores to see how they stocked their shelves. Her warm hugs and words of wisdom made every day a little better too. Thank you, Barbara, for being an amazing volunteer. You will be greatly missed.

Aaron joined our Board of Directors in 2018. He first learned about CROS several years ago, while he was an Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Delray Beach. He spent time volunteering with our Caring Kitchen program, participated in our annual CROS Walk, and often accompanied one of the church members when they were doing pickups and deliveries in the area. Volunteering has always been important to him. In addition to volunteering in his local community, he has performed service projects around the country and all over the world. Aaron is currently the Executive Pastor of The Royal Poinciana Chapel . Outside of his Board responsibilities, he has also participated in our gleaning events and helped to sort food donations at our warehouse. “I was honored to be asked to join CROS Ministries’ Board. I have valued my time on the Board because of the significant impact CROS has in our community.” Thank you, Aaron, for your giving spirit and longstanding committement to CROS!

On Thursday, February 2, the new Bishop of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, Bishop Tom Berlin, visited CROS to learn about our mission and impact in the community. He was accompanied by the District Superintendent of the Conference’s Atlantic Central District, Rev. Dionne Hammond and Bruce Kitson, the District’s Church Health Advocate. CROS is one of eight Outreach Ministries of The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church .