1. Page 32 Volume 11, Issue 12Bloomingdale/FishHawk Edition
Lamb of God Lutheran Church, in
partnership with Feeding America is
proud to launch its community food bank,
recently named Open Hands Community
Food Pantry.
The hunger relief organization that
provides food to more than 45 families in
the Lithia community, is located on the
campus of Lamb of God Lutheran
Church, located at 10540 Browning Rd. in
Lithia, on the southeast corner of Lithia
Pinecrest and Browning Rds., the pantry,
a partnership between Lamb of God and
Feeding America, is open for business
every Tuesday from 5 p.m.–7 p.m.
Patrons begin lining up in front of the
church an hour before the pantry opens,
waiting patiently with others who are
down on their luck to receive much-need-
ed supplies and a bit of encouragement
and kindness.
Pantry coordinator Joe Garcia says
the stories behind the faces are as varied
as the faces themselves. In a typical
week he may see people who are facing
major medical illnesses who have lost the
ability to work, elderly individuals trying to
supplement their meager social security
income, former inmates in the process of
becoming productive members of society
or migrant workers who aren’t paid
enough to support their families.
Reverend Mark Wood said his entire
church community has been supportive of
the food bank. In November, the child
care center and congregation had a
canned food drive, collecting hundreds of
canned goods. On December 7 and 8,
the church will host its annual living nativi-
ty festival and he is asking visitors to
bring canned goods to support the food
bank.
“God has blessed us by helping us fill
the shelves and providing everything we
need,” said Wood.
Blessings have also come by way of
able-bodied volunteers willing to give of
their time, including Katlyn Kurtz, 19, who
has been volunteering at the food bank
since it opened, filling boxes and organiz-
ing shelves. Even though she no longer
needs community service hours for
school (she graduated from Newsome
High), she says she enjoys helping those
who need it.
With no overhead, one hundred per-
cent of all monetary donations go to
assisting families with their food needs.
For more information about the Open
Hands Community Food Pantry visit
www.lambofgodlithia.org or call Garcia at
920-570-0232.
Food Bank Changes Name But Not Mission
Katlyn Kurtz, 19, fills boxes with much-needed
food for families at the newly renamed Open
Hands Community Food Pantry located on
the Lamb of God Church campus grounds.
By Michelle Caceres
If someone were to tell me
that a slice of sweet Southern
pie was to be found right here
in our own backyards, a month
ago I would have been skepti-
cal.
However, such a slice can
be found at none other than
the Palmer House Bed &
Breakfast in Lithia. It is most
certainly a gem of an establish-
ment and any excuse you can
make, you should go. The staff
of the Osprey Observer recent-
ly had their annual retreat at
the bed and breakfast, and
while much can be said about the cama-
raderie and banter between the girls, the
shining star was still squarely on the
Palmer House.
Built in 2000 and opened to the pub-
lic in 2002, the Palmer House was the
dream become reality of Gail and Bob
Palmer. While not originally intended as
a bed and breakfast, after the encourag-
ing comments of her friends, Gail decided
to add on the guest house and the
Palmer House was born. There are cur-
rently 5 bedrooms, each uniquely themed
and exquisitely decorated to match. I hap-
pened to luck out and stay in the
Southern Cabin, a glorious room on the
second story over-looking the wooded
acreage of the property. The bed was a
bit on the tall side, but the comfort more
than made up for that. The room also
came with a small mini-fridge stocked
with drinks and a microwave with but-
tered popcorn packets on the dresser.
Just outside the door was a small cabinet
with an assortment of DVD's for your
perusing pleasure. The bathroom was
clean and cozy with the cabin themed
decor. There was a single-person Jacuzzi
and a stand-alone shower with big, white
fluffy towels. The breakfast the next day
was exceptional for my limited palate:
breakfast quiche served with fresh fruit
and fresh baked bread. “The Palmer
House in Lithia was like a hidden treas-
ure,” said Sandy Lee of the Osprey
Observer. “I had heard of it but never
been there and was so amazed at the
level of detail everywhere I looked. The
rooms are beautiful and the grounds are
just gorgeous. “
The Palmer House Bed & Breakfast
is located at 2221 Hinton Ranch Rd. in
Lithia.
For more information on the Palmer
House, please call 654-0961 or visit
www.palmer-house.com
Retreat In Southern Hospitality
At Palmer House B&B
By Alicia Squillante
The Palmer House Bed & Breakfast in Lithia.
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