INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Nonprofit leaders came together for a day of unity and service while informing residents of a variety of available resources. More than 100 organizations gathered Friday for United Against Poverty’s 3rd Annual Community Resource Fair, promoting the idea that selfless service is not a trend, but a way of life.
“We wanted to get all the nonprofits under one roof,” said Michael Marsh, co-organizer of the event and president of Team Success Enterprises. “Everyone here serves the same people. This is a day of not fighting over money, but collaborating with one another.”
The event garnered 101 nonprofits, along with law enforcement agencies, health organizations and schools. Hundreds of people flocked to the gathering held at the United Against Poverty center, 1400 27th Street in Vero Beach.
Attendees were able to receive free health screenings and eye exams, along with information on veterans’ assistance, mental health resources, children support services and more. Marsh emceed the event along with raffle drawing prize giveaways, while the Treasure Coast Girls Coalition cooked up hot dogs and burgers for guests.
“Collaboration remains our greatest key to upward mobility in our community,” said Shala Edwards, founder of Treasure Coast Girls Coalition, a nonprofit aimed toward engaging girls in STEM activities while providing encouragement and guidance. “Grassroots organizations are important. We’re the doers. We work together. It spreads the love. We serve such a vulnerable population.”
The fair was held in memory of Lloyd B. Kanter, a Vero Beach community servant and philanthropist who donated $10,000 to Team Success Enterprises. Kanter also donated clothing for inmates enrolled in CareerSource Research Coast’s resume building and career coaching class who secured job interviews upon their release from the Indian River County Jail, Marsh said.
“He loved charities,” Liz Colodny said of Kanter, her late father. Colodny, who attended the event with her husband Russell Colodny, said it was great that organizations were working together.
The money from the fundraiser will go toward United Against Poverty’s crisis department, Marsh said. United Against Poverty is a statewide organization that provides families with the chance to receive subsidized groceries – including hygiene products – seven days a week, according to its website.
The agency helps connect low-income residents with initiatives such as a member share grocery program; crisis care and housing assistance; counseling for substance abuse, mental health and domestic violence; GED preparation; primary and preventative health care; job training skills and more. The nonprofit has low-cost groceries – which are part of the member share grocery program – inside its local center, organizers say.
“It’s always been a dream for this to be a home for all nonprofits in the community,” said Jane McNulty Snead, development director for United Against Poverty. “It’s amazing to see the dream come alive.”
Last May, United Against Poverty launched its ‘Going UP’ bus – donated by Impact 100 – which transports residents for free to the job skills program at the agency’s center. The agency celebrated its 20th anniversary in July 2023.
This year’s resource fair showed that United Against Poverty is a community hub, reeling in those in need, along with donors, partner organizations and others wanting to lend a helping hand. Other programs that have offices at the agency’s center include the Department of Children and Families, Resource Center for Disability Solutions, Dynamic Life Recovery Community, Freedom Health and the Access to Justice initiative.
Some notable guests at the event were Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers, School District of Indian River County Superintendent David Moore and School Board Chairperson Peggy Jones.
Earldesha Crosdale, the new director of Community Partnership Schools at Dodgertown Elementary School, said there’s a lot of hands involved in providing assistance when needed.
“Unity is the strength of the community,” Crosdale said.
Photos by Nick Samuel
