More than one million families across Palm Beach County, Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and Monroe County are experiencing food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To help alleviate some of the burden on local families, Feeding South Florida launched two ways that the public can help those in need during the holiday: Adopt-A Family and the Thanksgiving Food Frenzy.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, Feeding South Florida needs the community’s assistance more than ever before to help provide families with Thanksgiving meals. In the communities that Feeding South Florida serves, the need for food assistance has more than doubled since March.
Feeding South Florida’s Adopt-A-Family initiative enables the public to donate $25 through Monday, November 23, to provide a Thanksgiving meal box to a family of four. The meal box includes one turkey, fresh produce, traditional sides, gravy mix, and dessert mix. To adopt a family, simply the Feeding South Florida website.
The organization also launched the Thanksgiving Food Frenzy on October 26, to encourage community action. Organizations across South Florida can host Food + Fund Drives and earn volunteer hours for the chance to win the title of “Ultimate Thanksgiving Hero” in their category (ie. School, Construction and Real Estate, Law, Financial Institution, Hospitality/Food and Beverage, Health Care, and Government categories). All groups are welcome to participate. Participants can register here and will receive a Thanksgiving Food Frenzy toolkit, which provides step-by-step instructions and ideas. The initiative will run through Friday, November 6.
How to Help:
Start a Physical Food Drive Learn more here. Drop off collected items Monday to Friday, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Feeding South Florida’s Broward County location (2501 SW 32nd Terrace, Pembroke Park, FL 33023) or Feeding Palm Beach County (4925 Park Ridge Blvd, Boynton Beach, FL 33426).
Launch a Virtual Food Drive/FUNd drive Click here to create a customizable fundraising page, set a meal goal, and spread the word.
Volunteer for bonus points at Feeding South Florida or Feeding Palm Beach County, Tuesday to Saturday, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Register here.
Promote participation/mention Feeding South Florida on social media for bonus points (each post is worth one point)
“Thanksgiving is one of the hardest times of the year for families who struggle to make ends meet,” said Paco Vélez, president and CEO of Feeding South Florida. “Due to the pandemic, this year, there are food supply chain issues which have caused the cost of protein to rise and ingredients for side dishes to be in short supply. Through our Adopt-A-Family and Thanksgiving Food Frenzy initiatives, the public can come together to help make this Thanksgiving memorable for families experiencing hardship,” he continued.