How 96-year-old veteran ‘Mr. Bill’ is helping his community with a food bank

The Children’s Table is a non-profit food bank located in Bronson, Florida, founded in 1996 by Bill and Verna Brown. It began as a small effort by Bill, affectionately known as “Mr. Bill,” who was a foster parent and started sharing vegetables from his home garden with neighbors in need.

Since those humble beginnings, the organization has grown significantly, but its core mission remains the same: to combat hunger and ensure that no child or person goes to bed hungry. The food bank operates with an “open-door” policy, providing emergency and supplemental food assistance to anyone in need, without requiring lengthy forms or identification.

The Children’s Table is run entirely by volunteers and provides a variety of services, including:

Food Distribution: They distribute millions of pounds of food annually, including fresh and nutritious items, to families in need across Northwest Central Florida.

Disaster Relief: The organization also provides rapid assistance to families affected by unforeseen circumstances within Florida and neighboring states.

Community Outreach and Education: They emphasize sustainability and long-term solutions, offering things like free gardening classes to empower people to grow their own food.

The Browns’ dedication has allowed The Children’s Table to become a vital resource in the community, providing not just food but also a sense of dignity and respect to those they serve.

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