Daystar Life Center

We have been serving the basic emergency needs of qualifying residents of Citrus County, Florida, since 1983. Our volunteers and supporters are like our mission to help: People of All Faiths, All Heritages, All Social Backgrounds.

We began as a small parish ministry of St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church with Father James Hoge. Food and clothing were given out to those in need from a small house near the parish. The need grew as did our support.

The parishes of St. Scholastica and Our Lady of Grace joined St. Benedict in the mission of Daystar and the three parishes are the main sources of financial and volunteer help. The Knights of Columbus Councils and the Communities of Catholic Women associated with the parishes above also support Daystar.

The mission of Daystar is ever expanding. Since 1999 the Diocese of St. Petersburg leases its former school property to Daystar for one dollar annually. The former chapel is now the Thrift Store, the former schoolhouse is now the Food Pantry and Administrative Office, and five pre-fabricated buildings have been added---three to sell furniture, one for storage and one to house the Social Services Office.

We have been able to grow and to sustain our service to those in need by God's grace and the caring support of so many different individuals, families, groups, clubs, churches, organizations and businesses throughout Citrus County and beyond.

We are especially grateful to the Black Diamond Foundation and United Way for their great financial support through the years.

We hope to become more effective and efficient through the many partnerships we have developed locally and regionally with other helping organizations as well as governmental and private agencies.

At Daystar Life Center of Citrus County WE GIVE, WE WORK, WE HELP "...until the day dawns and the daystar rises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19c).