According to Feeding America, in Florida, 2.3 million people are facing hunger. Of this number, more than 613,000 are children.
Research shows food insecurity to be associated with a host of negative outcomes for children, including health complications, increased use of emergency department services, the inability to learn and perform well academically, poorer social skills, anxiety and depression.
A person is food insecure when they do not have reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
Since 2020, Local 10 and Publix Super Markets have teamed up to address this growing problem. Through our Food For Thought campaign, we raise awareness about the plight of hunger affecting our communities. We come alongside local nonprofits and support their efforts to get nutritious meals into the hands of those who need it most.
In the past three years, we’ve stocked school food pantries from the elementary to college levels, provided essentials for expectant mothers, fed homeless youth, sponsored food drives and planted vegetable gardens.
One of the organizations we’ve collaborated with is Health in the Hood, which creates local food gardens to feed, engage and empower communities in need.
“I always said I started Health in the Hood because I was angry,” said Asha Walker, founder & CEO of Health in the Hood. “I didn’t understand why people who lived a zip code over from me didn’t have access to the same things I have access to.”
In September, during Hunger Action Month, we will be working with more organizations to make healthy food attainable and sustainable for everyone.
If you’d like to find out more or get involved, the list below connects you with some local nonprofits that offer programs to feed families in our community.
If your nonprofit organization provides food services to South Florida families and would like our Food For Thought campaign to know about it, simply email our community relations department at community@local10.com.
Our goal is to connect those who have the means to help with those helping families fight food insecurity every day. Together, we can make a difference.
Covenant House Florida
954-561-5559
https://www.covenanthouse.org/homeless-shelters/ft-lauderdale-florida
Health in the Hood
305-714-2262
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Broward County
954-765-0550
Joshua’s Heart Foundation
305-944-4452
La Bodega at the YMCA in Allapattah
305-635-9622
2370 NW 17th Avenue
*serves food to residents Monday- Friday, from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
LifeNet4Families
954-792-2328
Mobile School Pantry
954-297-4929