Have you ever had a hard time figuring out what to eat for lunch? In South Florida alone, 710,370 people do not know where their next meal will come from.
Do you ever throw food out the day it expires? Many food items can be used up to three years after the expiration date, depending on what it is. Canned foods are good for another three years and packaged foods such as pasta can be used six months after their expiration date.
Feeding South Florida uses goods that would have otherwise been wasted. They also save food that major grocery stores throw out such as Walmart and Publix. They will use dented cans that are no longer “pretty” enough to be sold but still good enough to be eaten.
A major food bank in the Feeding America organization, Feeding South Florida serves 25 percent of South Florida’s food-insecure population. The organization reaches Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. More than 98 percent of all donations get put back into the community. Every $1 donated can provide six meals. Feeding South Florida distributes 50.5 million pounds (42 million meals) of food per year, with the help of other agencies as well as educate people on how hunger affects the nation.
Hunger action month takes place in September. People are wearing orange (the designated color of hunger action) and participating in the events offered to bring awareness to the community, such as packaging food in the warehouse and 5K runs. You can participate on September 22 in the Outrun Hunger Palm Beach County 5K at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach. The run starts at 7:30 a.m., and everyone receives a medal. You can also check out the custom fundraising page. Registration for the run is $25. If you decide to join the run as a group (10 or more), discounts are available.
