The community responded after VISTE put out a call for more volunteers for their annual Thanksgiving meal delivery to the homebound elderly. The organization went from 200 volunteers signed up last week to 350 in time for Wednesday’s deliveries of 2,000 meals, News Channel 8 reports. There was also an outpouring of cranberry sauce cans, which have been in limited supply this year. More
With the federal eviction moratorium ending Saturday, local officials are urging renters who are behind on payments and were affected by COVID-19 to apply for assistance through a Polk County emergency fund; they can also seek help through United Way’s 2-1-1 phone line. Polk courts face a backlog of 765 eviction cases dating to January 2020, The Ledger reports. | MORE: Polk rental assistance
The founders of a center for grief-stricken children say it’s time for a return to its Lakeland hometown – time to rebuild and renew the vision of a beloved friend who passed away but left them with a call to action. More
Talbot House Ministries is accepting applications from prospective tenants for its affordable housing project, the Vermont Place Apartments at 912 and 920 N. Vermont Ave. More
Gospel Inc.’s purchase of a mobile home park near downtown Lakeland, funded by the federal CARES Act, is the first step in its long-term plans for Gospel Town, a housing and work complex for former transients, according to founder and Director Brian Seeley. More
Three Lakeland social-service organizations — Gospel Inc., Talbot House Ministries and Peace River Center — are readying for facility improvements afforded by COVID-19 grants. More
Most of the main Lakeland Public Library on Lake Morton will be closed to the public for at least eight months starting in mid-February as crews construct a Lakeland History and Culture Center. More
With a new infusion of federal CARES Act money, the Polk County Commission has allocated $1 million to rent and mortgage assistance for people who lost income during the pandemic and have not received relief, News Channel 8 reports. Applications will be available starting Dec. 29 on the county website. | ALSO: Ledger coverage
The season of giving has given reason for hope to directors of more than two dozen local nonprofit organizations that received grants from Citizens Bank & Trust. The Polk-based bank’s philanthropic distribution was named 100 Days of Giving to help celebrate its 100th birthday this year. More
