Catholic Charities is shutting down its Agape Food Bank in Polk County in favor of some other "feeding the poor" initiatives in the county, according to the Diocese of Orlando.

• 140 charitable groups in area now in need of new food source
• Feeding Tampa Bay set to pick up where Agape ends
• Town Hall meeting Nov. 30 to discuss transition

The move has left about 140 charitable agencies in the Polk County area that previously relied on Agape with questions about where they will get the food they give to needy people in the future.

One of those agencies, Volunteers in Service to the Elderly in Lakeland, told us the effect of the change will be considerable.

"I would say about half comes from Agape," said agency president Steve Bissonette about where his group gets its food.

Help is on the way. Tampa-based Feeding Tampa Bay based said it will pick up where Agape is ending, and will provide food to Polk organizations.

The logistics of Feeding Tampa Bay supplying those agencies hasn't been worked out yet.

“We don’t know exactly what that’s going to look like," said Bissonette.

What is known is Feeding Tampa Bay will not operate a central warehouse location in Polk, like Agape. Polk organizations can come to its facility in Tampa to get food, or they can meet distribution trucks at scheduled hub drops.

“Where we can take that to a location where some agencies meet so we can help them with their barriers of transportation," said Rhonda Gindlesperger with Feeding Tampa Bay.

Gindlesperger said Feeding Tampa Bay is very confident people in Polk will get the food they need.

“So we make sure there is food on the table of folks who need it. So there will be no gaps left," she said.

Feeding Tampa Bay will hold a town hall style meeting next Thursday from 8:30 to 10:00 AM at the Church at the Mall in Lakeland to discuss the transition with local organizations the feed the poor.

Meanwhile, the Diocese of Orlando issued the following statement in reference to the changes they're making to their food supply efforts.

"Catholic Charities of Central Florida is happy to announce plans to bring two new Mission Markets to Polk County. Replicating the Mission Market in Orlando, located on the main campus of Catholic Charities, they will have a farmer’s market feel with fresh fruits, vegetables, bread and more. “We’ve moved to a choice pantry orientation that supports our neighbors’ opportunity to select foods their family will eat,” said Executive Director Gary Tester. “Many folks who are struggling to obtain food often do without fresh produce and proteins – we’ve begun to address that. This also affirms the inherent dignity of each person, which is a tenet of Catholic Social Teaching.”

Tester and the Catholic Charities team have been studying the needs of the underserved in Polk County for the past two years to strategically place these markets where they can do most good. Tester will seek to harmonize this food ministry with parishes in Polk County and will work with them to determine locations with strong attention given to Lake Wales and Lakeland. Efforts will also be taken to intensify the existing food pantry in Winter Haven.

As part of this transition, Catholic Charites of Central Florida board of directors has decided to cease most operations at the Agape Food Bank in Lakeland by the end of December, 2017. This transition of ministries will allow a more effective outreach to those in need. The Agape Food Bank operation falls under the umbrella of Feeding Tampa Bay, a nationally recognized hunger relief organization and part of the Feeding America network. While Catholic Charities will shift its focus to the Mission Market, Feeding Tampa Bay will pick up the food bank role in Polk and Hardee counties. The food assistance programs in these counties that are currently supported by the Agape Food Bank will continue to serve those in need and will do so under the supervision of Feeding Tampa Bay. Feeding Tampa Bay will also be a partner to the newly implemented Mission Markets to ensure the resources to feed those who hunger. In addition, the SmilePak program, supported by Publix, Mosaic and the GiveWell Community Foundation, will continue to serve children through the end of the school year.

The Agape Food Bank has provided a beautiful ministry to individuals and families in Polk County for more than 30 years. As we examine the changes in food ministries and the continuing food needs throughout Polk County, it is clear that our ministry charism is in the operation of local parish-based pantries with Feeding Tampa Bay playing the important food bank role,” Tester stated. “Both Feeding Tampa Bay and Catholic Charities will better steward their resources as we move forward together to serve those who hunger. Please pray for the success of these new ministries.”