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Feeding South Florida® Commemorates a Record-Breaking 2020–2021 Fiscal Year and 40th Anniversary with Hunger Action Month™ Activities in September

By September 1, 2021No Comments

Feeding South Florida®, the leading domestic hunger-relief organization serving South Florida, met the unprecedented needs of over 1 million individuals, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during its 2020–2021 fiscal year (July 2020–June 2021). Now, the organization is commemorating its new fiscal year and 40th anniversary with exciting activities for Hunger Action Month, a nationwide initiative created by Feeding America®.

Hunger Action Month takes place throughout September and is designed to raise awareness about the issue of hunger in America and inspire others to take action towards ending it. This year Feeding South Florida’s theme is “Food Shouldn’t be an Impossible Choice.” People facing hunger often are forced to make the impossible choice between food or other crucial needs, such as electricity, childcare, medicine and more.

In South Florida, more than 1 million individuals, including nearly 300,000 children, don’t know from where they will get their next meal. Hunger Action Month is an opportunity to be a part of a month-long initiative that has a real and lasting impact on Feeding South Florida’s mission of ending hunger in South Florida.

“Although the increased need was a tough time for so many, we are humbled and grateful the community placed their trust in us to serve our children, grandparents and families in the 2020–2021 fiscal year,” said Paco Vélez, president and CEO of Feeding South Florida. “It is an honor to have served the South Florida community for 40 years, and we will continue to serve South Floridians facing food insecurity. Hunger Action Month is a great way for the community to come together, once again, to help end hunger.”

For its new 2021–2022 fiscal year plan, Feeding South Florida will continue the rollout of its innovative programs including culinary and warehouse training, its “Food Is Medicine” initiatives such as the Mobile FARMacy and hospital pantries, the creation of cutting-edge technology designed to measure output in real time, home delivery programs, providing wraparound services like SNAP benefits, and so much more. Currently, for every $1 donated, Feeding South Florida provides nine meals to those in need.

During its 2020–2021 fiscal year, Feeding South Florida distributed 154 million pounds of food (128.3 million meals), to more than 1 million individuals through direct-service programs and a local network of approximately 500 nonprofit community partners. It served nearly 2.8 duplicated households in the four counties it serves: Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. Feeding South Florida has proudly created community drive-thru distributions with its municipal partners, provided family meal boxes through school district and law enforcement partnerships, created a community delivery program with first responders, provided direct home deliveries, opened a state-of-the-art, 5,000-square-foot Community Kitchen at its Palm Beach County headquarters, and more. These initiatives would not be possible without the help of Feeding South Florida’s generous supporters.

During Hunger Action Month, South Floridians can help ensure food isn’t an impossible choice in many ways including:  

  • 30 Ways in 30 Days: Feeding South Florida’s 30 Ways in 30 Days calendar of events is available online. Print the calendar featuring daily ways to end hunger and share it with others. Post + tag @Feedingsouthflorida on social media.
  • Start a virtual food drive: Raise money with friends, family, coworkers and/or group members by hosting a virtual fund drive. Simply visit tinyurl.com/MyHAM to get started.
  • Volunteer during Feeding South Florida’s 24-hour Weekend of Service: Practice social distancing while volunteering at one of Feeding South Florida’s warehouses on Friday, Sept. 10 and/or Saturday, Sept. 11. Register at volunteer.feedingsouthflorida.org.
  • Go Orange!
    • Individuals can host an orange bake sale, government and municipalities can issue a proclamation for Hunger Action Month, hotels can welcome guests with an in-room display that showcases HungerAction Month, schools can develop students’ skills by creating a project to promote hunger awareness, and much more!
    • During 2020’s Hunger Action Month, throughout Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties, several landmark buildings including The Breakers, Miami Tower, and Bank of America, among others, all participated in “GO ORANGE DAY” by turning their lights orange. Dozens of cities issued proclamations, and hundreds of groups held Food + Fund drives and participated in volunteer days and turned their websites, logos and social media pages orange.
    • This year, Feeding South Florida celebrates Hunger Action Day, also known as “GO ORANGE DAY,” on Friday, Sept. 17 to bring awareness to the issue of hunger in the South Florida community.
    • Register an individual or company’s #GoOrange to be added to Feeding South Florida’s community activity calendar. Contact Michele Fernandez at mfernandez@feedingsouthflorida.org or 954.518.1818 x 1863.
  • Get social: Post on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Unlock FSF’s Hunger Action Month Tool Kit at https://feedingsouthflorida.org/hunger-action-month/ including the “30 Days in 30 Ways” calendar, social media tool kit, and more.
  • Take the SNAP Challenge: Eat for the day on a food stamp budget ($4.50/day or $31.50/week).
  • Pre-register for the 2022 Outrun Hunger 5K events: Participants can raise funds for Feeding South Florida by running or walking during this fun-filled event, taking place in Hollywood, Florida on Saturday, April 2, 2022, and West Palm Beach on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. To register, visit https://feedingsouthflorida.org/events/.
  • For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Community Engagement Coordinator Michel Fernandez at mfernandez@feedingsouthflorida.org or 954.518.1818 x 1863.   

For more information about Feeding South Florida’s participation in Hunger Action Month and how to be a part of the effort to end hunger in South Florida, visit https://feedingsouthflorida.org/hunger-action-month/ or call 954.518.1818.

To find out how you can help, learn about what Feeding South Florida is doing, safety precautions, and much more, visit https://feedingsouthflorida.org/covid19/.

About Feeding South Florida®

Feeding South Florida is a member of the Feeding America network of food banks and the leading domestic hunger-relief organization serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. Providing support for 25 percent of the state’s food insecure population, its mission is to end hunger in South Florida by providing immediate access to nutritious food, leading hunger and poverty advocacy efforts, and transforming lives through innovative programming and education. Feeding South Florida distributed nearly 154 million pounds of food during its 2020–2021 fiscal year, to over 1 million individuals through direct-service programs and a local network of approximately 500 nonprofit community partners. Visit www.feedingsouthflorida.orgor call 954.518.1818.

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