OUR HISTORY
C.U.B. History and Timelines
Personal knowledge by Bob Iverson and Nola Gravius
Request: Please send any clarifications, corrections or
personal knowledge to Brenda Flowers,
cubbrenda@embarqmail.com
1977 Dot Zipper, was director-in-charge for family services
of Citrus County; the tax base extremely low; county
resources were limited; requests for help were overwhelming
and she approached county commissioners who came up with an
idea of creating a non-profit to assist people in Citrus
County.
Mid/Late1978 - County created first parks and recreation
position for Citrus County. John Barnes (from Homosassa) was
hired and the county commissioners decided that one of his
first tasks should be in the creation of Citrus United
Basket (CUB).
1978 – After bringing together influential people in the
county they came up with and established a board, wrote the
Articles of Incorporation and obtained our 501(c)3. The very
first subscribers to the Articles were Jerry Steed, Charles
B. Adkins and Rev. George Dettman of First United Methodist
Church of Inverness.
The Articles of Incorporation reflects early pastoral
support as reflected in the first Board of Directors—
Rev. James Hoge – Crystal River
Rev. George Parker – Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Inverness
Rev. William Rountree – Hernando
Rev. Roger Shively – First United Methodist Church in
Homosassa
Rev. Boston Vickers – Floral City
Rev. George Dettman – Chairman, First United Methodist
Church of Inverness
Jerry Steed – Floral City
Ray Weaver – Inverness
John Barnes – Vice Chairman, Homosassa
Frank Helms – Homosassa Springs
Judy Groner – Secretary, Inverness
Charles (Bernie) Adkins – Treasurer, Inverness
Originally, there were no facilities or structure available
for CUB while it accumulated materials and clothing.
However, the county did have an old shed located on Cooter
Pond near the old Sheriff’s office in Inverness, which is
where items were stored for CUB on the EAST side of the
county.
Rev. Roger Shively, minister of First UMC Homosassa, had a
large shed on the church grounds that he designated to store
items for CUB on the WEST side of the county.
Food and monetary donations increased and the board realized
the need for an inside facility to protect items. The county
commissioners authorized using part of the basement in the
Old Courthouse. The original system serviced social workers
who helped families in need. Social Workers would meet in
the Old Courthouse twice a month to discuss needs for their
assigned family cases. Then they would walk across the
street to Bernie Adkins’ office located on Old Square for a
check.
CUB’s first volunteer was Ms. Jean McKenzie who had two
children and was on AFDC.
Christmas 1979 marks the very first holiday food give-a-way
dinners where a line of recipients formed all the way around
the Old Courthouse. Also started by Nola Gravius was the toy
give-a-way when volunteers would clean used donated toys to
give to children for Christmas.
The Inverness Theatre would play special children’s movies
throughout the week before Christmas and invited children to
donate cans of food, as did the local schools.
The Post Master in Crystal River asked people to donate a
can of food for Christmas by leaving their donations next to
their mailbox. CUB started growing, which required a place
to store donations of food. The Old Chronicle building,
located near 581 & 44, allowed CUB to use their building for
a few years.
Upon completion of the New Courthouse and renovation of the
Old Courthouse; the county commissioners moved CUB to the
Stoval property off Apopka. This property consisted of three
storage buildings. The main building was in the best
condition and used for the thrift store and food pantry.
However, it did not have inside toilets and volunteers had
to use a gas station located on the corner. The property was
low and flooded often, which required volunteers to get into
their vehicles to drive out to the gas station every time
they needed to use the restroom.
Early 1980’s – ABATE biker organization, launched Toys for
Tots in Citrus County to support CUB, which lasted for more
than 25 years as one of the major sources for Christmas and
continues today through the Harley Owner’s Group (HOG). The
ABATE bike run would stop traffic and they would take over
the entire downtown Inverness area.
CUB remained at that location until early 2000’s, when the
county decided to build the tax collectors building and
government offices.
The City of Inverness gave control of a parcel of land on
Mill Avenue to the county commissioners so that they could
lease it to CUB. The property consisted of an old
dilapidated house less that 1,000 sf. One of the volunteers
fell through the floor and under boards were installed to
provide additional support. CUB operated at that location
for a few years.
Up until 1998, CUB was using a DOS Radio Shack Tandy
computer with original Radio Shack hardware and one fax
machine.
1999 - An upgraded computer with windows was donated which
brought CUB into the 21st century.
That facility eventually became inadequate and CUB bought
its first portable garage for storage at Christmas. A local
gentleman would donate a large tent, which was used in
conjunction with the garage to help with the toy and food
giveaway.
Eventually, two large pods were rented from Tampa for food
storage at Christmas and year round usage for two years. A
food pantry shed was then purchased.
Tom Mawhinney became a member of the board. Tom previously
served on the board of directors for Hospice of Citrus
County. He knew that Hospice of Citrus County was in the
process of building a new facility and he was responsible
for getting the Hospice board to agree to give us our
current main building, which is where the thrift store,
kitchen, offices and restrooms are located. The county and
city approved. The dilapidated house was wiped out, cleared
and leveled.
Three neighboring lots were owned by the city, which were
given control to the county, which CUB rents for $1.00 per
year. CUB paid approximately $10,000 to move and erect the
2,000 sf building donated by Hospice of Citrus County. The
long wheelchair ramp had to be built three times in order to
meet code.
During the same period of time CUB started to purchase
computers and was networked. Internet access and Website was
installed around 2004-5.
2008 - Increased food to 17.5 lbs. and family bags to 33.5
pounds; implemented menus to ensure a healthy balance of
food was being provided instead of odds and ends; a
nutritionist approved menus; purchasing of fresh produce and
lean ground turkey and beef to lower fat content for
clients; increased amount of refrigeration space to ensure
quality of food.
Please check back for future updates. Please let us know of
any additional information that we can add or of any
information that needs to be corrected. |
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