South Florida organizations gear up to help students in need

Feeding South florida food bank and Coral Springs prepare for back-to-school

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. Feeding South Florida food bank wants to help children from poor families be at their best when they return to school.

The food bank's backpack program, which runs out of Pembroke Park, strives to feed about 1,350 children in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe County.

The organization estimates there are 287,650 kids in need in South Florida, Louise Hendry, a spokeswoman for Feeding South Florida said.

Winn-Dixie launched a program that will allow customers to donate to the food bank's program at store registers through August 19th.

"No issue touches the heart of our customers and associates more than childhood hunger,"  Rondel Hartwell recently said in a Winn-Dixie statement.

The food bank has also partnered with the Florida Marlins, Miami Dolphins, Barry University, CVS and several local organizations to fund a variety of programs. The food bank also has a website feature for donations to the food bank's general fund.

Also, asking for help was the City of Coral Springs announced it was collecting pens, pencils, crayons, double pocket folders, composition books, backpacks, tissues, hand sanitizer, rules, scissors, glue and paper.

Volunteer Services Coordinator Kim Sanecki said donations could be dropped off at several government buildings in Coral Springs including the police department, 2801 Coral Springs Dr., and City Hall, 9551 W. Sample Road.

For more information about donating school supplies to Coral Springs, call 954-346-4430.