Neighbors raised more than $170,000 for a new pantry truck in Groveland

The Neighborhood Center of South Lake has a new refrigerated truck, paid for by neighbors. The Clermont Sun reported on October 5, 2026, that an appeal raised more than $170,000. Chief executive Patricia Kry said the community's response lets the pantry keep picking up food without the old truck's constant breakdowns.

The 2026 truck is 26 feet long and can hold about 10,000 pounds. Last year the center distributed 1,645,977 pounds of food and 119,075 school-break meals, with 18,404 volunteer hours behind that work. Volunteers drive out five days a week for rescued groceries from local stores, and a few times a month they haul produce from Second Harvest Food Bank in Orlando. Operations manager Charles Sanderlin said the new truck is simply reliable.