Bread delivers comfort, a Point of Light Award

The governor recognizes a Largo couple as "shining examples of how one can support our troops overseas.''

[Times photo: Boyzell Hosey] Barbara and Al Davis began baking banana bread for the troops in the Gulf War more than a decade ago. They use a variation of Mrs. Davis' mother's recipe.

By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 10, 2002

Al and Barbara Davis, the Largo couple who became celebrities of sorts for baking more than 17,000 loaves of banana bread for U.S. service men and women overseas, have yet another salute.

Gov. Jeb Bush on Thursday named the Davises as recipients of this week's Point of Light Award recognizing exemplary volunteer and community service.

"Albert and Barbara are shining examples of how one can support our troops overseas," Bush said. "By sending homemade bread to them, they bring a little bit of comfort to our brave troops serving in the Middle East."

The Davises began baking the banana bread, seven loaves at a time in their home oven, during the Gulf War more than 11 years ago, after they heard that troops in the Middle East weren't able to get fresh bananas. Davis, a 26-year Navy veteran who saw battle in three wars, knew what it was like to get a package from home when serving so far away.

They use a variation of Mrs. Davis' mother's recipe. The loaves are rich in bananas and walnuts.

Through contacts at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, they arranged to have the bread shipped to troops in the Persian Gulf aboard medical supply planes. Sometimes the call for fresh shipments of banana bread -- stored in the couple's freezer -- come in the middle of the night, just hours before a flight leaves.

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