Sunland FUEL Team Food Drive Donations Benefit Chipola Family Ministries

Sunland Center’s FUEL (Faith Used in Everyday Life) Team, a resident outreach group, recently sponsored a food drive. The drive started during Sunland’s 40th Annual Fall Festival and ran through the first two weeks of November. Sunland Chaplain Ruth Moore, employees, and members of the FUEL Team delivered the food to the Chipola Family Ministries Center on November 21. Upon delivery the food was weighed. The group was thrilled to learn they had collected 548 pounds of food just in time for Thanksgiving!

According to Chaplain Moore, this community service project was inspired by the strong show of support for Sunland in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. The Sunland FUEL team wanted to partner with the Sunland staff and the local community to support individuals and families in the area who may need assistance.

At FUEL’s first meeting in 2016, Chaplain Moore asked residents three specific questions: “Is there anything that you have never done that you would like to do? Is there any place that you have never gone that you would like to go? Is there specifically anything you would like to learn?” From there, the ideas came pouring in. One resident said they would like to visit Connally Manor at Sunland and socialize with the elderly individuals who live there. Chaplain Moore said, “There were many other wonderful statements that reflected the residents’ compassion and how they wanted to serve and love others.”

During this meeting, one woman, Mary, eagerly waved her hand in response to Chaplain Moore’s questions. When it was her turn, Mary spoke, her eyes filling with tears. “I have lived on the streets,” she said. “I have been hungry, and I know what it is like. I would like to do a food drive for the hungry people in our area!” Several staff members were moved to tears, as they were overwhelmed by the compassion of Sunland’s kind-hearted residents who wanted to do something for others.

Since that first meeting, the Sunland FUEL Team has hit the ground running. They have organized several community service projects, including the Jackson County Backpacks for Kids, Ronald McDonald House, Eastpoint Fire Donations, stuffed animals for Marianna Health and Rehab, Thanksgiving meal deliveries, and other community food drives for the Chipola Ministry Center.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities with the Sunland FUEL Team, call Sunland Chaplain Ruth Moore at 850-482-9371.


Sunland FUEL Team delivers food to Chipola Family Ministries. Pictured L-R: Sunland Recreation staff member Lee Cranford, Sunland Chaplain Ruth Moore, James B., Sunland Recreation staff member Johnny Hodges, Sunland Volunteer Coordinator Maria Johnson, Cheryl D., Joe Ford with Chipola Family Ministries, Josh B., and Samantha W.


James B. and Cheryl D. proudly display several boxes of food collected during the Sunland FUEL Team Food Drive.


Josh B. and James B. help carry in boxes of food to be weighed. The final total was 548 pounds!