BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — Some much-needed aid is being given to residents in the Ridge Manor area who are still recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

It’s coming as food and supplies from the food pantry at Eastside Elementary School in Brooksville — which was started long before the storms hit.

What You Need To Know

  • Eastside Elementary School is helping Ridge Manor area residents and others impacted by the recent hurricanes through its food pantry

  • The pantry was started to assist families in times of need, and officials say it has transformed the school and how it functions
  • With recovery still ongoing throughout the community, donations are still being accepted from non-perishable food to personal hygiene items
  • The pantry is open five days a week, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At Eastside Elementary, an assembly line takes shape at the school’s food pantry — a pantry with a history of helping students and their families. Only now, school officials say it’s helping a larger audience.

“This is the place they come to that was the same before the hurricane," said Hernando County Schools Superintendent Ray Pinder. "Providing some of those essential items and some treats. That this staff has done, and this community has pulled together for these students and these families is just outstanding.”

The pantry was started to assist families in times of need, and Principal Mike Lastra said it has transformed the school and how it functions.

“This was a fully functional classroom that we’re standing in now," Lastra said of the pantry. "We were able to move that classroom to a different location and create this pantry and reach out to the community.”

He said the reception from the community has been positive.

“The biggest thing is just being grateful and realizing that this is a school doing this," Lastra said. "A lot of times you’ll have multiple agencies that have great outreach programs that do this type of stuff. But for them to have this in a school, to come in and drop your kid off at school and then also come in and get some supplies you need.”

With recovery still ongoing throughout the community, donations are still being accepted, including non-perishable food and personal hygiene items.

“Dozens and dozens of individuals have come to drop off supplies for our students and it’s just been amazing," Lastra said. "I have goosebumps just talking about it, and we’re really blessed to be here at Eastside Elementary and have everyone behind us.”

The pantry is open five days a week, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations of food, snacks and cleaning supplies are still being accepted.