PALMETTO, FL (WFLA) – It seems like an easy thing to do: Feed hungry seniors who need help in Tampa Bay. You’d think it would be Good Samaritan gesture welcomed by all. Think again. Some residents at the Carlyn Mobile Home Park in Palmetto claim they can’t get the food and nourishment they need because food bank deliveries are banned.
They tell 8 On Your Side that the park manager is banning a service called Hope Center from delivering meals. Furthermore, if residents do accept the food, they claim, they’ll be evicted. Paperwork shared with 8 On Your Side shows a “cease and desist” order from the manager. “She has no right to tell them what they can and cannot do,” said Marie Kyle. Another woman said, “Why would you forbid people from getting food?”
“We’ve gotten second, third and fourth notices, telling us she’s going to kick us out,” one woman told us.
When 8 On Your Side tried to get answers for a second day, we were met with silence, harassment and called vulgar names. Manatee deputies were called. Golf cart groups were assembled to allegedly intimidate us. “It hurts that there’s food available and you can’t get it to them,” said Lenworth Gordon. He is a guardian angel of sorts and helps feed homebound seniors in Manatee County. “We just want to help.”
8 On Your Side contacted Representative Jim Boyd’s office, and his staff is looking into the matter. They also alerted Tallahassee as to what is going on in this mobile home and an investigation has started. We also spoke at length with Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore who said, “That manager ought to be ashamed of herself. We need to help each other more. There is no shame asking for help. We are glad there are people out there who want to help.”
Manatee County neighborhood services tells us they want to help residents. “Maybe the manager doesn’t understand how to deal with residents. Maybe this is a way for us to get started,” said Cheri Coryea.
Volunteers say they won’t give up on their seniors who are hungry and alone. For some, this food is a matter of life and death. Lenworth told us, “If eight can be on their side, it’d be greatly appreciated, we have the Lord on our side, but if eight can be on their side, we might (sic) find resolve for this.”
Meanwhile, residents like Rodney Piatt, who is a disabled veteran, served his country all over the world, but here at own home, he claims he is banned from getting food. Rodney told us, “It really does break my heart, makes me disgusted. I’m quite frustrated; I’m quite tired of it.”
It got so bad at the mobile home park on Tuesday that 8 On Your Side watched the manager in a golf cart follow the food delivery van. Some residents were so scared, they told us, they refused to take anything to eat, fearing they’d be kicked out of the park.
Resident Diane Kline said, “Why would you forbid people from getting food? Why, are you an idiot? Are you really that selfish and greedy and controlling?”
8 On your Side wanted to know if these allegations are true, and if so, why? We tried numerous times to speak with the manager. We even stood outside her door, hearing her talking inside, but she refused to answer. She also did not return phone calls.
