On Thursday, December 22, Tampa East Sertoma Club delivered their annual SALFAB holiday meals to 30 local families. SALFAB means Skip-A-Lunch, Feed-A- Bunch, where club members skip a lunch and donate those funds to feed hungry families. Over the last 35 years, the SALFAB program has grown with the help of Publix Super Markets, who provide in-kind food donations as well as considerable employee time to put the food bags together. 
For the last two years, the program has additionally received a $2000 a part of the Sertoma Club Grant from Sertoma Inc..
“This is one of the most rewarding events that we do each year, being able to provide groceries to these families for holiday dinners. I am proud to be a part of this Sertoma club that continues the tradition every year”, said Tampa East Sertoma club president, Carl Brown.
Most of the recipients receiving food donations were associated with Sunrise Children's Services. Food insecurity is a growing problem in the Tampa Bay area with a large number of families and hundreds of children identified as being food insecure in Hillsborough County. The SALFAB program brings good food and holiday cheer during this special time of year.
"We have received holiday food help from Tampa East Sertoma for many years, and we count on their generosity and that of Publix to help us serve our clients' needs at this time of year," said Laura White, Executive Director of Sunrise Children's Services.
This long-standing tradition of donating holiday groceries is the legacy of founding club member Honorable Judge Jack Griffin, who championed the event to inspire the Sertoma tradition of “Giving Back” to those in need. Jack lived during the Great Depression and knew firsthand what it was like to go hungry. He wanted younger club members to become aware of the implications of hunger by skipping a meal. Thus, the 35-year tradition of SALFAB - ‘skip a lunch to feed a bunch’ began.
Tampa East Sertoma Club and Publix Supermarkets have been partnering on this program for nearly 10 years.
“The Sertoma Club Grant program was established in 2021 to help further the club’s efforts to support community charitable programs and organizations. Thanks to the support of members and donors over the years, we can offer this program”, said Amy Ellington, Director of Finance/Administration.
For more information about Sertoma, Inc. and its community of clubs, visit: www.Sertoma.org. To learn more about Tampa East Sertoma Club, please visit www.TampaEastSertomaClub.org their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TampaEastSertomaClub/, or contact club president, Carl Brown at 813.340.3104.