Economic Downturn, Recent Events Present Need to Raise $1 Million in Six Weeks
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla., April 12, 2012 — In an effort to meet the needs of the nearly 1 million residents of Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach Counties who are food insecure, Feeding South Florida™ (formerly Daily Bread Food Bank) is holding its "Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope" donation campaign from April 11-May 23. The 6-week campaign is designed with a goal to raise $1 million to feed residents right in our own communities who are hungry.
Feeding South Florida is now in a time of transition. During the economic downturn, the need for food donations has increased while resources have diminished. Transportation costs to deliver food to member agencies have exploded. Plus, unfortunately, one of Feeding South Florida's 14 refrigerated trucks was recently stolen and the refrigeration unit was stolen from another truck at the organization's Miami warehouse. Feeding South Florida's need for donations and support to feed the hungry is now greater than ever.
Simultaneously, Feeding South Florida is in a time of opportunity. New sources of food, particularly fresh produce and fruit are available, and Feeding South Florida's nearly 600 member agencies serving families in need from Jupiter to Key West are asking for the organization's help to deliver the food.
Coral Gables-based advertising agency VSBrooks Advertising, which provides in-kind services to Feeding South Florida, is producing a 30-second commercial about Feeding South Florida's need for support.
"Right now, a child, adult or elderly person is hungry only 15 minutes from where most South Floridians live," said Maria Millares, president of the Board of Directors of Feeding South Florida. "No person deserves to go to bed hungry. With the recent state of the economy, the need to deliver food, and the unfortunate theft of our truck and refrigeration system, we are asking local residents and corporations to reach out with their hearts and minds to provide donations to feed the hungry."
Through the "Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope" campaign, Feeding South Florida is asking local residents and corporations to consider the following:
- $1 = Helps Feeding South Florida's member agencies save $15 in their food budgets.
- $5 = Text FEED to 52000 and provide 35 pounds of food.
- $15 = 90 people in need can go to a food pantry to receive food provided by Feeding South Florida.
- $25 = Seven toddlers will be fed twice a day for one week at a children's services program.
- $35 = Two families of four won't go hungry for eight days because they can pick up groceries (milk, bread, pasta, tuna, peanut butter, vegetables and more) at an emergency food pantry.
- $75 = 112 families of four can have a hot dinner at a local community kitchen.
- $100 = 300 homeless women and children will get a hot dinner and breakfast at a shelter.
To make donations, please call Feeding South Florida at (954) 518-1832, visit www.feedingsouthflorida.org or text FEED to 52000 to donate $5.
ABOUT FEEDING SOUTH FLORIDA
Feeding South Florida™ (formerly Daily Bread Food Bank) is a not-for-profit organization that empowers other South Florida not-for-profit organizations to assist people in need and improve their lives. Feeding South Florida does this by providing food and other grocery products, and by educating and engaging the community to fight hunger and poverty. Through a local network of nearly 600 other not-for-profit organizations, Feeding South Florida strives to serve over 936,000 individuals in need, including more than 340,000 children who are food insecure, the elderly, the mentally and physically challenged, veterans and the working poor, in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe Counties with compassion and integrity. Feeding South Florida, one of the largest food banks in the state, is a member of Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. In 2011, Feeding South Florida distributed over 30 million pounds of food valued at almost $50 million within the South Florida community. Feeding South Florida's headquarters is located at 2501 SW 32 Terrace, Pembroke Park, FL, 33023. For more information, please call (954) 518-1818 or visit www.feedingsouthflorida.org.
Media Contacts:
Anthea Pennant, Director of External Affairs
954-518-1832 / Email
Duree Ross, Duree & Company, Inc.
954-723-9350 / Email
# # #