Longboat Island Chapel aids food pantry when needed most

By Dana Kampa
| 8:30 a.m. April 21, 2025

Stillpoint Mission past president Gene Tischer and current president Gary Scott pick up donations from Longboat Island Chapel for this month's Gather and Give drive.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Stillpoint Mission leaders were in for a surprise at this month's Give and Gather charity drive at Longboat Island Chapel.

Members donated enough shelf-stable food items to fill three large tubs and a folding tabletop pushed to the brink — and then some. But they didn't stop there. The congregation gifted the nonprofit a $3,000 monetary donation to support its mission.

Muriel Klosterman, one of the main organizers of Longboat Island Chapel's "Gather and Give" drives, presents Stillpoint Mission representatives Gene Tischer and Gary Scott with a check for $3,000.

The Bradenton-based organization provides relief to area families in numerous ways, from bill assistance to its food pantry.

President Gary Scott, who recently assumed the role from Gene Scott, profusely thanked those in attendance on April 15.

"It's folks like you who really help us help the community," he said.

Scott explained that this time of year can be challenging for food pantries as both the holiday and post-holiday surges of support have subsided. But the entirely volunteer-run group provides assistance to families year-round, and Scott said these donations will make a significant difference.

Everyone lends a hand with loading up the donated food for Stillpoint Mission to distribute.

While Stillpoint Mission accepts many donations, it is especially seeking diapers, canned goods and toilet paper at the moment.

By the numbers

Scott and Gene Tischer took the chance to update Longboaters on the impact Stillpoint Mission's work has had in the surrounding community.

In 2024, volunteers served an average of 495 families weekly. They also distributed 347,707 diapers that year, bringing their total since 2020 to 1.1 million.

In 2024 alone, the group provided 410,000 pounds of food and $163,033 in support for utilities.

"It blows my mind that this many people in Manatee County need the help [paying water and electricity bills], but we help them," he said.

Stillpoint Mission past president Gene Tischer secures the food donations Longboat Island Chapel provided.

Scott noted the organization does all this through grants and the generosity of community members, not through any state or federal funding. They always welcome new volunteers.

He shared his admiration for the work of founder Nora Brick, and though his involvement with several local charitable organizations keeps him plenty busy, he has been glad to step up to continue carrying out her vision.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.