INVERNESS, Fla. — A dedicated group of veterans in Citrus County is coming together to help their community. 

For more than 20 years, the Citrus County Veterans Coalition has brought aid to their brothers and sisters. The group is helping other veterans when they are at their most vulnerable.

“We’re veterans helping veterans,” said Chairman of the Citrus County Veterans Coalition Richard Floyd.

Inside a small building off North Paul Drive, Richard Floyd helps run the Citrus County Veterans Coalition with a team of vets from throughout Citrus County.

“We have a full range that we give out and we normally give out anywhere between 35 and 40 lbs. of food, usually,” Floyd said.

Floyd has been with the group for more than 20 years, nearly as long as they have existed. It’s a special bond that unites volunteers to help out their fellow vets.

“They kind of become your brothers and sisters, so they become family,” said Brenda Wingate, treasurer and food manager of the Citrus County Veterans Coalition. “Anything you can do to help family, I love to do.”

Help primarily comes through the food pantry that Wingate runs. But it also comes in other forms, like offering a lending hand at home.

“If any veteran comes in, whether it’s food, electric bills,” Wingate said. “If they need help with yard work, if they need help with a ramp, anything we can help them with, we will go out of our way to help them or find them somebody who can help them.”

It’s work that is making a meaningful impact not only on their community, but on themselves. 

“You know you’re doing something right and you’re making yourself feel good about what you do,” said Floyd.

The Citrus County Veterans Coalition is open on Tuesdays at 10 a.m.