Our Mission
The mission of Our Lady’s Pantry is to provide food and nourishment to underserved individuals and families in our community, to assist those living in poverty, and to offer temporary grocery assistance to those facing difficult times.
We are here to help our neighbors meet their basic food needs until they are able to regain stability and get back on their feet. Through compassion, dignity, and the generosity of our community, we strive to ensure that no one in need has to face hunger alone.
Our Lady's Pantry has prospered for 26 years already thanks to the dedication and hard work of hundreds of volunteers and the support of a generous community.
The Hidden Costs of Running Our Lady’s Pantry
One of the challenges faced by Our Lady’s Pantry is not simply having enough funding to provide food for the families we serve—it is also having enough to pay the many bills that come with operating a food pantry.
Over the past quarter of a century, Our Lady’s Pantry has grown into a substantial operation, with many of the same expenses faced by any large business. The hidden costs of running a food pantry can be surprising.
Consider electricity. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires that even non-perishable foods be stored below 78 degrees to help ensure food safety. As a result, our electricity costs—including the air-conditioning necessary to maintain safe storage temperatures, as well as refrigeration for our walk-in freezer and walk-in cooler—continue to be significant. In 2025, our electric bill totaled $17,464, our highest ever.
Our two food-collection trucks also come with substantial expenses. In 2025, we spent $7,167 on gasoline and another $16,171 on truck maintenance.
And, of course, the cost of food continues to rise. Last year, Our Lady’s Pantry spent $68,477 on food for the families we serve.
Perhaps most surprising of all, our single largest expense in 2025 was the removal of waste from our dumpsters, which totaled $17,717.
Where Does Our Support Come From?
Thanks to the generous efforts of the Knights of Columbus, a portion of our income comes from the monthly Project Hunger collections at Prince of Peace and Our Lady of Guadalupe. We also occasionally receive food grants from several local philanthropic organizations, including the Interfaith Council/Nearly New Shop.
The remainder of our support comes from individuals who generously choose to help.
You Can Help
If you would like to help provide food for our families—or help us meet the many operating expenses required to keep the Pantry running—your donation is greatly appreciated.
Checks may be made payable to Our Lady’s Pantry and mailed to:
Our Lady’s Pantry
16650 U.S. Highway 301 South
Wimauma, FL 33598
If you prefer to make a direct deposit into the Pantry’s bank account rather than mail a check, please contact our director, Tom Bullaro, at (813) 633-2384 for details.
You can also donate money or non-perishable food before Mass during Project Hunger weekends:
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission: First weekend of each month
- Prince of Peace: Second weekend of each month
Every gift—large or small—helps us continue our mission of putting nourishing food on the tables of families in our community.
Thank you for helping Our Lady’s Pantry fight hunger and keep our doors open!
“Not all of us can do great things.
But we can do small things
with great love.”
— Mother Teresa of Calcutta
