South Fla. ? Dec. 3, 2012: It?s the season of giving, and nearly 1 million people in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe Counties who are food insecure need help. This December, Feeding South Florida, South Florida?s leading domestic hunger-relief organization, is offering many opportunities for the public to help these individuals enjoy a memorable holiday season.
The face of hunger in South Florida has changed: less than 1 percent of those who face food insecurity are homeless. Over 50percent of individuals who experience hunger have one or more employed adults in the family, and over 150,000 are seniors who have to choose between paying rent, utilities and having enough nutritious food. One in four children in South Florida goes to bed hungry every night.
One way the public can help is to simply donatefunds to Feeding South Florida at (for every $1 donated, Feeding South Florida can provide six meals). In addition, Feeding South Florida is offering the following initiatives/events:
- Now through Dec. 16: HoneyBaked Ham Fundraiser: HoneyBaked Ham will encourage South Florida area in-store shoppers to donate $1 to Feeding South Florida at the register (100% of the funds raised will go to Feeding South Florida.) The company will donate an additional $500 to the top three stores that raise the most money during the promotional period and the funds will, in turn, be donated to Feeding South Florida. HoneyBaked Ham will also donate an additional $15,000 to the Feeding America national office.
- Now through Dec. 25: Winn Dixie Hunger Relief Campaign: At all Winn-Dixie stores, customers can donate any amount they choose at the point of checkout though easy-to-use tear pads/scan sheets found at the register. They can also purchase specially-marked Winn-Dixie brand products, including water, coffee, diapers and condiments, whose manufacturers have generously donated to this program. All dollars raised by tear pads/scan sheets at South Florida stores will go directly to Feeding South Florida, which in turn will provide nutritious, fresh foods to people struggling with hunger.
- Now through Jan. 7, 2013: Bank of America Holiday Campaign: Bank of America will triple gifts donated to Feeding America?s Give A Meal program at . Select the ?Your Local Food Bank? option when giving.
- Entire month of December: TCBY donations (two Miami locations): TCBY University Centre and Mary Brickell Village locations will donate 15 percent of purchases made by customers who mention Feeding South Florida or bring in the Feeding South Florida/TCBY holiday promotion flyer to Feeding South Florida. University Centre, 1230 S. Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables, FL 33146 and Mary Brickell Village, 900 S. Miami Ave #147, Miami, FL 33130
- Monday, Dec. 3-Friday, Dec. 7: Stomp Out Hunger: Bring food donations to Lexus of North Miami, and register to win tickets for a performance of Stomp at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and dinner at Truluck?s. 14100 Biscayne Boulevard North Miami, FL 33181
- Wednesday, Dec. 5 through 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6: WLRN Winter Membership Campaign: For every $100 contributed to WLRN, $10 will go to help Feeding South Florida. To make a pledge, visit or call 1-866-247-9576.
- Thursday, Dec. 6, 6-9 p.m.: Tree Trimming Competition and Food Drive at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: For every five donated canned food items, participants will get bonus entries to vote for their favorite tree and the chance to win a $500 shopping spree. Feeding South Florida is one of the charities competing in the tree competition ? come vote for them! In addition, guests will enjoy watching it snow, fashion show, and live entertainment. Free to the public. 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314.
- Friday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m.: Comedy for a Cause at the Hollywood Improve (Paul & Young Ron?s 18th Annual Holiday Food Drive): Proceeds will benefit Feeding South Florida. Comedian and star of The League Steve Rannazzisi to perform. Presented by Burger Fi. 5700 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314. .
- Friday, Dec. 7 through Tuesday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m.: Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival Give Back Event: A portion of proceeds will benefit Feeding South Florida. This event brings master chefs, premium wines, world-class golf and genuine philanthropy together. Palm Beach, FL 33480
- Saturday, Dec. 8, 7-10:30 p.m.: An Evening with Le Cirque ? A Tribute to Sirio tribute dinner at The Breakers Palm Beach benefiting Feeding South Florida: Chef Jeff Simms of The Breakers Weddings and Celebrations has selected Feeding South Florida as his 2012 Chefs Dish Back? charity. The tribute dinner offers guests a chance to indulge in the decadence of one of the most famous restaurants in the world: Le Cirque of New York City. The event will pay tribute to owner and maître d? Sirio Maccioni by bringing together eminent chefs Daniel Boulud (a Le Cirque alum), David Burke, Marc Murphy and Jacques Torres, along with Chef Simms and The Breakers? master sommelier Virginia Philip, for a dinner of dreams. With the help of the restaurant?s own chef Olivier Reginensi, its iconic décor, and the famed Sirio himself, all senses will be ignited as The Breakers recreates this renowned New York establishment. $250 per person. One South County Road, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
- Sunday, Dec. 16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: Man vs. Food Tailgate Party and ?Live? Broadcast with Paul & Young Ron at Sunlife Stadium (Paul & Young Ron?s 18th Annual Holiday Food Drive): Proceeds will benefit Feeding South Florida. Feeding South Florida will also be collecting monetary donations and food at every gate during the Miami Dolphins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars game on this day. 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens, FL 33056
- Sunday, Dec. 16, 12-5 p.m.: Bamboo Beach Club & Tiki Bar Charity Bike Bash at the Beach: Proceeds will benefit Feeding South Florida. Pig roast, first drink free, silent auction, signed Dolphins jerseys, tickets and many more items, raffle for a cruise for two to the Bahamas, best custom bike contest. 4040 Galt Ocean Dr., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
The public can also volunteer their time at Feeding South Florida?s headquarters, sorting, packaging, labeling and weighing donated food. For more information, visit .
?The holidays are a wonderful time of year to think about giving to help those who are food insecure,? said Feeding South Florida President and CEO Paco Vélez. ?During December and every other month of the year, we encourage the public to join the fight against hunger in South Florida. This month, we?re happy to offer many fun events for the public to enjoy and at the same time, make a difference in the lives of nearly 1 million individuals facing food insecurity in our area.?
About Feeding South Florida
Feeding South Florida? is a nonprofit organization that empowers other South Florida nonprofit 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 approximately 450 other nonprofit organizations, Feeding South Florida strives to serve almost 1 million 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, the largest food bank in the state, is a member of Feeding America, the nation?s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. In 2011, Feeding South Florida distributed nearly 30 million pounds of foodvalued at over $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 .