A Community Effort to Help Those Affected by the Government Shutdown Staff Reports November 13, 2025 9:23 am Charities and Nonprofits, Crestview In Brief: Who: Crestview residents led by Katrina Raines and supported by retired deputy Jeremy Gilbert and city staff What: Weekly Free Food Friday events offering meals and nonperishable food to families in need When: Every Friday through the end of 2025, starting November 7 Where: Old Spanish Trail Amphitheater, 205 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview Why: To support individuals and families facing hardship due to the government shutdown Crestview, FL — Residents of Crestview have come together to support families and individuals impacted by the ongoing government shutdown. What started as a single Facebook post by local resident Katrina Raines has grown into a community-wide volunteer effort called Friends Taking Care of Friends, aimed at providing meals and essential supplies to those in need. “This is something that the Lord laid on my heart,” Raines said. “All I did was make a post on Facebook. This is a community effort — it’s not just me.” The post quickly gained traction, drawing responses from neighbors, church groups, and civic organizations throughout Crestview. Volunteers began coordinating through social media, pooling donations of food, bottled water, and supplies to serve affected families and federal employees furloughed during the shutdown. The group’s first event, held on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Old Spanish Trail Amphitheater (205 Stillwell Blvd.), drew more than 300 families. Volunteers served spaghetti dinners and distributed canned goods, fresh...
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