Groveland offering free pizza and Coke to residents during drive-thru event

Line up in your vehicles for free pizza and Coke when the city of Groveland hosts a Community Unity drive-thru event for residents from 4-6pm Friday, April 10, at Hope International Church, 13806 State Road 33, while supplies last.

The city of Groveland is partnering with Hope International Church and other sponsors to provide 430 pizzas and 350 2-liter cokes to residents, according to a news release. In observance of CDC recommendations, this event will have drive-thru distribution. Vehicles will pull up under the breezeway, where volunteers wearing long sleeves and gloves will hand them their free pizza and soda. All vehicle participants are asked to remain in their vehicles throughout the entire process and to continue driving once they have received their meal.

During the coronavirus pandemic, many families are experiencing hardships related to food sources and options. To assist residents with ways to acquire meals more easily, the city introduced the “Let’s Eat” initiative, partnering with organizations, restaurants, food trucks and farmers.

The businesses involved in this event include Chefing It UP Pizza Café, Domino’s Pizza, Corelli’s Italian Restaurant, Little Caesar’s Pizza and Steel Worx Solutions.

Having this one meal can help a family tremendously, as many are now having to find meals for their children, who are no longer in school.

“As we continue to weather this COVID-19 storm together, we want our residents to know how much we care,” Mayor Evelyn Wilson says in the release. “Everyone has to eat. We hope those who are in need will come grab a meal.”

A second distribution of food will be given to South Lake Hospital health-care providers and city of Groveland first responders, and police and fire department personnel, the release states.

“We are proud to team up with the city of Groveland and local sponsors to express our love for the community during this pandemic,” says Dr. Tony McCoy, Hope International Church senior pastor. “Love is best expressed when we all come together to see about each other’s needs—love never fails.”

For more information, visit the Groveland Facebook page or groveland-fl.gov.