This Thanksgiving season, over 1.2 million individuals throughout South Florida are experiencing food insecurity. Feeding South Florida® – the leading hunger-relief organization serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties – is offering different ways that the community can help those in need this holiday season including its “Share Food. Share Joy.” initiative, volunteer shifts, food + fund Drive and more.

Currently, one in nine individuals in South Florida remain uncertain about where they will get their next meal. Feeding South Florida is experiencing an unprecedented increase in providing nutritious food to over 1.2 million individuals due to inflation, the strained supply chain, rising fuel prices, increased housing costs among other factors.

“For those struggling to make ends meet, the holiday season can be one of the most difficult times of the year and can intensify and further challenge economic conditions,” said Paco Vélez, president and CEO of Feeding South Florida. “This Thanksgiving, we’re offering the community various ways to come together to fill plates and hearts while fighting food insecurity. By volunteering or making a donation, our South Florida families will have a memorable Thanksgiving enjoying a nourishing meal with their loved ones.”

“Share Food. Share Joy.” Initiative:

This Thanksgiving, Feeding South Florida aims to provide 7,000 South Florida families with turkeys, sides, and all of the fixings. The community is invited to share a bit of joy and hope during the upcoming season by choosing one of the following options, now through Nov. 17:

• Donate one turkey to a family: $30
• Donate one turkey and sides to a family: $50
• Donate four turkeys to four families: $100

To ensure Thanksgiving meal boxes are ready in time, all donations must be placed by Nov. 15. For more details or to donate, please visit https://feedingsouthflorida.org/sharefood.

Feeding South Florida thanks its generous sponsors including Humana, Carrier, Southeastern Grocers, Thoma Bravo and more.

Food + Fund Drive:

This holiday season, the community is invited to also host Food + Fund Drives to collect food and raise funds with their extended family, social groups or colleagues at the office.

Food drives will accept non-perishable items only. Items in glass jars or expired items will not be accepted. It is requested that items that are already in packed cases, cartons or boxes remain unopened. Special items to make a family’s Thanksgiving brighter are gravy mix, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, mashed potato mix, pie filling, pie crust and cornbread mix.

The most-needed general food drive items are peanut butter, cereal, mac and cheese, pasta, rice and beans, canned soups, canned protein, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meals, pop-top food items, fruit cups, applesauce, diapers, baby formula and feminine products.

Donations can be delivered to Feeding South Florida’s headquarters in Pembroke Park and Feeding Palm Beach County headquarters in Boynton Beach, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to the front desk area. For 1,000 pounds or more please reach out to Feeding South Florida to make special accommodations.

Creating a virtual food drive grants the power to impact more families with the funds raised. Feeding South Florida provides participants with a unique page and link to engage others, inspire greater participation and monitor their progress.

To learn more, please visit https://feedingsouthflorida.org/food-fund-drives/.

Volunteer Shifts:

The community is invited to volunteer to be part of the hands-on efforts to feed South Florida families.

• Sorting & Packing Experience: Volunteer to inspect, sort and repack donated food in preparation for community distribution at Feeding South Florida’s headquarters in Pembroke Park and Feeding Palm Beach County headquarters in Boynton Beach. Each location is holding sorting/packing volunteer opportunities Tuesday through Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m.
• Community Kitchen Experience: Volunteer to help prep, cook and pack meals in Feeding South Florida’s Community Kitchen at Feeding Palm Beach County. Volunteer opportunities are open to all individuals regardless of kitchen experience.

For more information and to sign up for a volunteer shift, please visit https://feedingsouthflorida.org/volunteer/.

Feed it Forward:

With $1, Feeding South Florida can provide four meals to a family experiencing hunger.

To make a monetary donation in any amount, please visit https://feedingsouthflorida.org/donate/.