- December 4, 2025
Thanks to the 78 people who subscribed for weekly driveway delivery of the Palm Coast Observer in the past month or so, we were able to make a $1,560 donation to the Grace Community Food Pantry this week, which serves about 6,000 Flagler County families each month.
It was a successful launch of Observer Fundraising, a new initiative in which we donate $20 to a charitable cause for every $52 annual subscription to the newspaper. This is one way we are trying to fulfill our mission to build community spirit. I was inspired by the many people who called our office, saying they wanted to support the food pantry.
What’s next for Observer Fundraising? Whenever you buy a $52 subscription for driveway delivery of the Observer at www.observerlocalnews.com/subscribe for the next month or so, you can also select a school to support, and the Observer will then donate $20 to the parent-teacher association, to help local students.
As a reminder, the newspaper is still free to pick up in newsstands around town, and you can also see an electronic version of the print newspaper by clicking “e-newspaper” at www.observerlocalnews.com.
I met Pastor Charles Silano at the food pantry on July 15, and what follows is an edited transcript of the interview.
WHAT'S THE MOTIVATING FACTOR FOR MAKING THE FOOD PANTRY HAPPEN?
A relief of food insecurity. I don't want to make it about me, but I have a past. I've been hungry. So I understand what food insecurity does and how it makes a person feel.
HOW DOES IT MAKE A PERSON FEEL?
It makes him feel poor, and everything that comes with it. They feel as if they're outside of the community, as opposed to being part of it. What I enjoy about this is that it makes them feel part of the community. We give them hope.
And hopefully, it prevents people from taking drastic measures in life, making poor decisions.
AND WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION OF WHAT YOU DO?
"The poor you always have with you."
And Matthew 25: Jesus says, Whenever you do anything unto any one of these least of my brethren, you’ve done it unto me.
So basically, we’re just doing what Jesus asked us to do.
HOW CAN SOMEONE COME HERE TO GET FOOD?
They can actually call me direct — 386-931-4158 — and I will navigate them. As far as needing food, they can just get on the line and they'll be processed on the line. It's minimally invasive and quick, and they received food that day.
Our distribution hours on Saturday are 10 to 1, and on Sundays from 12 to 3.
Visit https://www.gracecommunityfoodpantry.org/ or stop during the hours above, at 245 Education Way, Bunnell, FL 32110.
