Standing in the Gap
Our Mission
Christians Reaching Out to Society, Inc. (CROS Ministries) provides food for the hungry and the food insecure in collaboration with our partners in the community.
Ensuring Access to Healthy Food for All in Need
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Recovering Fresh Produce From Local Farms, Cull-Lines, and SWA’s Mango Grove
A Message from Ruth
Dear Friends,
Hunger and food insecurity do not look the same for everyone.
Lori, who I recently met at one of our food pantries, once worked full-time as a medical secretary. Today, a chronic health condition limits her ability to work to part-time. Over the last three years, she has sought on-and-off food assistance from CROS: only when she needs it. Her wages do not cover all her bills, and navigating the medical care she needs has added another layer of strain.
Even amid the challenges of government shutdowns, funding cuts, and a growing number of individuals seeking food assistance, thousands of individuals and families come through our pantry doors or receive meals through our Caring Kitchen program each month. Some are first-time visitors who never expected to be in this position. Others return after months away when budgets tighten again. Many, like Lori, come only when the gap becomes too wide.
Those seeking food assistance often have jobs but are having to make difficult choices on how to spend their limited resources, due to the high cost of living. They are seniors balancing food, medicine, and HOA costs. They are our neighbors facing health challenges and the family next door whose paycheck is temporarily on hold until the government starts funding their position again.
This gleaning season has also brought unexpected challenges for our growing partners. The unprecedented South Florida cold weather continues to test our local farmers. But with our partners’ planting determination and our volunteers’ willingness to serve, the fruits of our labor continue to grow.
We are grateful for your ongoing support. As we look ahead, we are confident that, with your generosity, CROS will remain a constant presence in our community. We continue to stand in the gap for the hungry with boots on the ground, ending hunger one individual, one family at a time.
With Gratitude and Hope,
Ruth
CROS News
Volunteer Spotlight
Betsy Cardozo
Meet Betsy Cardozo from our Belle Glade Pantry! For the past three years, Betsy has faithfully driven from Wellington every Tuesday to serve families in the Glades community. Betsy and her husband, John, attend St. Peter's United Methodist Church in Wellington, and each week they help transport donated bread and pastries to distribute at the pantry.
When asked why she volunteers, Betsy said,
"I volunteer at CROS Ministries food pantries, because I know it makes a difference in our community!"
Thank you, Betsy!
Ron Friedoff
For the past three years, Ron Friedoff has faithfully volunteered with our Gleaning Program and has also stepped in to support our Belle Glade Pantry when everyone of our regular volunteers is unavailable. Ron has a passion for gleaning leafy greens in the Glades and enjoys serving at the pantry.
When asked why he volunteers with CROS, Ron shared:
"I volunteer at CROS Ministries because I enjoy gleaningand then seeing the fruits of my labor in the pantryprograms."
Thank you Ron!
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights - 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
