‘An incredible person’: Community helping 94-year-old food bank owner get national award

BRONSON, Fla. (WCJB/Gray News) - A 94-year-old Florida man is being recognized for his work within the community.

Bill Brown, also known as Mr. Bill, has turned his small home garden into a food bank for families in Levy County.

He has 30 years of community service under his belt, feeding thousands of people a week at The Children’s Table.

“Here I am at almost 95 and I’m making an impact in the community,” Brown said. “Nobody in Levy County should have to go hungry.”

Because of his service, volunteers at the food bank say they want to give the veteran something special.

“I came across the CNN Heroes and said, ‘This is something for Bill,’” Stacey Kile said.

Kile works with Brown at the food bank, and she is asking residents to help her nominate him for the award.

“He’s just such an incredible person who’s done so much for this community,” Kile said. “This would be a great way to just kind of give thanks to the man who’s given so much to so many.”

Brown said he didn’t know about being nominated and appreciated the gesture.

“Everybody likes to be appreciated for their work, but that’s not why we do it. We do it out of our love for the people that we serve,” he said.

Volunteers say every form counts and more information is available online to help Brown receive the nomination.

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