FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – “It’s God. When we know that there’s a need, and people have a passion to help, God shows up,” said Pam Capela firmly as she helped wrap up a flurry of activity coordinated and executed in less than 18 hours, at the Hidden Trails Community Center.
Calling in the calvary, it was a team effort on Saturday to make sure a food delivery made it to residents after several set backs for forced Grace Community Food Pantry to cancel a delivery to western Flagler including an out-of-service truck and low food supplies.
Stepping up to help with two pickup trucks and an SUV, Pam Capela and her team didn’t waste a moment when asked to assist in helping support the families counting on the food delivery.
Since starting the nonprofit Cornerstone 386, Inc. and hosting the inaugural Take a Swing at Hunger golf tournament in 2023, Pam Capela and her husband Tony have kept battling food insecurity close to their hearts.
On Friday night when asked if she had a truck and told the mission, she rallied her network and got to work.
“We all came together. It started out with, we just had potatoes, apples, and MRE’s (from the Grace Community Food Pantry),” she said.
“We spread the word within our group chat, and we solicited Wal-Mart who was extremely generous and gave us over $1,000 that we could donate to protein for the food shelter here. It took a village and everybody coordinated and went to Wal-Mart, picked up the protein. We had 3 trucks at Grace Food Pantry where Pastor graciously donated to us and here we are,” she said.
While the team of 8 helped gather the pallets of food supplies from the Grace Community Food Pantry early Saturday morning, another team was at Wal-Mart picking up $1,000 of donated protein and canned goods, something in short supply after two hurricanes rocked communities along the eastern seaboard.
Not the traditional food pantry held at the Hidden Trails Community Center, it was a ‘pick out what you need’ experience as the Cornerstone team along with community volunteers led by Geri Scott, assisted families heading in for support.
Sustenance included bags of potatoes and apples, fresh carrots, hamburger, turkey burger, hot dogs, sausages, a variety of canned items, drinks, water, breads and snacks. Pre-packages MREs or Meals Ready to Eat provided by FEMA during the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Milton were also available.
Some stopping in took just a few items, while others took multiple boxes. Some came picking up food for multiple families, while others prepared to feed multiple generations in one household. The stories were heartbreaking, those of complete loss, lack of insurance or denial by the government, some just shell shocked by the whole experience.
Starting early, the approximately 6,000 pounds of food supplies were exhausted before noon.
It was an eye-opening moment for Capela and her team as they saw the ‘comfort stations’, offering laundry units, restrooms and showers set up for those still without water or power, at the community center.
“You can tell that there’s a desperate need. I don’t think people are aware. Even in our group none of us were aware of what was going on out here.”
Colleague Lisa Gearst, a realtor with RE/MAX Select Professionals where Capela is a broker, said the effort filled her with a sense of purpose, warming her heart.
“We were just talking about it on the way here,” said Gearst. “Look at people we’re surrounded with and look at what we’re doing. It fulfills something deep inside.”
The Bigger Picture, An Ongoing Need in Flagler County
The Capelas are preparing to host the 2nd Annual “Take a Swing at Hunger” Golf Tournament, which was also affected by Hurricane Milton, forcing them to change venues, but the couple is undeterred in their efforts to help neighbors in need.
“We have a joint venture with RE/MAX Select Professionals and Motto Mortgage Selections and we have formed a 501c nonprofit organization Cornerstone 386 DBA ‘Take a Swing at Hunger’. Our mission is to support those in need in our local community and make sure that the shelves of the food pantry have enough food on them,” explained Capela.
In 2023 they were able to raise $15,000 from the golf tournament, donating 7,000 pounds of turkey and 28,000 pounds of food for families in need.
“We have an amazing group of volunteers who donate their time, solicits for charitable causes so that we can raise funds to donate to the food banks. It’s about the greater need in the community.”
“What we do, the mission against hunger, we have a fun golf tournament where people can come, and participate, but bringing nonperishable items, donating, volunteering. The silent auction items, all of it matters. I always say, a bread crumb makes a loaf and I do passionately believe that everyone has the ability to contribute.”
“It’s a mission. Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much,” she said, quoting Helen Keller.
About the Event
The 2nd Annual “Take a Swing at Hunger” Golf Tournament will take place on October 27th at Palm Harbor Golf Course. This fun-filled day promises to be more than just a golf tournament—it’s a community-driven effort to help combat hunger.
Some highlights of the event include:
9:00 AM shotgun start
Raffles, contests, and a silent auction throughout the day
A prize for the best Halloween costume
A lunch reception to close the day with fun and fellowship
With the participation of both RE/MAX Select Professionals and Motto Mortgage Selections, as well as local businesses and community members, the day will be filled with fun activities, but also a deep sense of purpose as we unite to make a tangible difference for families in need.
How You Can Get Involved
We would love for you to join us in this important cause. Here’s how you can participate:
Register a Foursome: We have limited spots, so be sure to grab yours early!
Become a Sponsor: We have exciting sponsorship opportunities to showcase your business and support the community.
Donate Non-Perishable Items: Help stock the shelves at Care Cupboard by donating non-perishable food items.
Volunteer: We welcome any helping hands to assist with the event.
