Mount Dora Business and Real Estate

The Care Closet seeks local community's help to feed more Lake County students in need

9/14/2026

More local students are relying on weekend food assistance, and The Care Closet, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is working to make sure there’s enough food to meet the growing need. Meeting this increased demand is an ongoing challenge that needs the community’s help.

The Care Closet now provides weekend food for nearly 170 families each week through Sorrento Elementary, Altoona School, and Spring Creek Charter School. The food is sent home with students in need to help provide meals during weekends when school meals are not available.

The grassroots program began in 2022 as a small effort to ensure students had access to food beyond the school day. The Care Closet had anticipated serving about 100 families during the 2026-27 school year, but that number has grown to nearly 170 families a week.

The increase has left the organization with a dwindling food supply while also preparing to expand its reach through a new partnership with the City of Mount Dora. Through the partnership, The Care Closet will provide weekend meals to students participating in the new Nathaniel Bell Resource Center’s before- and after-care program.

While the organization is preparing to serve additional Lake County children, replenishing its existing food supply remains its immediate priority.

“We are incredibly grateful for how much The Care Closet has grown, but growth also means we have to continually find more food to put into those bags,” said Angie Scullion, founder and executive director of The Care Closet. “Right now, our shelves are getting low, and we need our community to help us make sure we can continue putting food into the hands of the children who need it.”
The organization is particularly seeking recurring monthly family sponsors. A $40 monthly donation can help provide weekend food assistance for one family for an entire month.
Local families interested in becoming monthly sponsors can contribute through The Care Closet’s Adopt-a-Family program at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/care-closet-adopt-a-family. Businesses interested in providing ongoing sponsorship support are also encouraged to contact The Care Closet.

Those who prefer to donate food can purchase needed items through the organization’s Amazon Food Wishlist or Walmart Registry, with purchases shipped directly to the organization. Other donation options are available through The Care Closet’s Linktree.

Scullion said The Care Closet is hopeful for another strong community response following a previous feature in Mount Dora Buzz in March of last year.

“The last time Mount Dora Buzz featured The Care Closet, the response was incredible,” Scullion said. “The community came together and helped us stock enough food to continue feeding our families for weeks. We’re hoping this time we can rally that same community support and keep our shelves stocked.”

Additionally, non-perishable items can be dropped off at The Care Closet donation drop-off locations:

The Mason Jar 37534 FL-19, Umatilla, FL 32784
Superior Storage Solutions 24811 FL-46, Sorrento, FL 32776
Evolve Dance & Fitness 425 Plaza Dr, Eustis, FL 32726
Saunders Lakeside Living 31900 Sailor Loop, Mount Dora, FL 32757

Please check the hours of operation for each location before dropping off.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit Mount Dora Buzz's website, its Instagram and Facebook page. Sign up for the free monthly edition here.

North Lake County’s Distinctive Properties for September

9/1/2026

Above: All photos published with permission of agent.

By Brooke Vermeulen
Mount Dora Buzz real estate contributor and Lake County Real Estate Broker

What makes a property truly one-of-a-kind? It’s rarely the price tag, square footage or location on its own. More often, it’s an architectural detail you can’t unsee, an unforgettable setting, a piece of history built into the walls, or simply something you don’t come across every day.

Lake County has plenty of beautiful homes, but four currently on the market caught our attention for very different reasons.

835 Butch Cassidy Lane, Eustis

At 835 Butch Cassidy Lane in Eustis, history is part of the property itself. Dating to 1881, the home still retains its original banister, one of the beautiful details that creates its nearly 150-year-old character. The Sundance Hills property also includes a separate two-bedroom, two-bath guest residence and access to Lake Nettie. The 2,520-square-foot home is listed for $574,900.

29116 Beauclaire Drive, Tavares

Waterfront living takes a different turn at 29116 Beauclaire Drive in Tavares. The 3,259-square-foot home sits on Lake Beauclaire with direct access to the Harris Chain of Lakes and includes a pool, private dock, and boat lift. What you might not expect is the separate two-bedroom apartment above the garage with its own entrance and balcony. Located in the Lake Beauclaire neighborhood, the property is listed for $1,099,000.

1200 PENINSULA Drive, Tavares

At 1200 Peninsula Drive in Tavares, the address tells only part of the story. The property occupies its own peninsula, surrounding the home with water and giving the 6,288-square-foot estate a setting that is difficult to duplicate. A resort-style pool and covered dock with two boat slips add to the waterfront property. Located in The Peninsula, the home is listed for $2,189,000.

29650 Squirrel Point Road, Tavares

Then there is 29650 Squirrel Point Road in Tavares, where roughly 300feet of frontage stretches along Lake Dora. The renovated 2,916-square-foot home makes the most of that shoreline with retractable glass doors that open the living space to the lake. Instead of simply providing a waterfront view, the design allows the interior and outdoors to flow together. Located in Squirrel Point, the property is listed for $1,999,000.

Learn more about these distinctive properties here. If you're a homeowner with a special property you think deserves the spotlight, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to Mount Dora Buzz to let us know.

By Brooke Vermeulen
Mount Dora Buzz real estate contributor and Lake County Real Estate Broker

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit Mount Dora Buzz's website, its Instagram and Facebook page.

Business &
Real Estate Buzz

The Care Closet seeks local community's help to feed more Lake County students in need

North Lake County’s Distinctive Properties for September

835 Butch Cassidy Lane, Eustis

29116 Beauclaire Drive, Tavares

1200 PENINSULA Drive, Tavares

29650 Squirrel Point Road, Tavares

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Business &​Real Estate Buzz

The Care Closet seeks local community's help to feed more Lake County students in need

North Lake County’s Distinctive Properties for September

835 Butch Cassidy Lane, Eustis

29116 Beauclaire Drive, Tavares

1200 PENINSULA Drive, Tavares

29650 Squirrel Point Road, Tavares

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE

Archives

Categories

Business &
Real Estate Buzz