By Sylvie McCarthy
Hunger Fight, a local nonprofit organization battling hunger and illiteracy for local children, has officially opened the doors to their new location. The organization had their official ribbon cutting ceremony at 2222 Harper St. in Jacksonville on Thursday, July 24. Their new home, a warehouse that is a little over 15,000 square feet, will be perfect for the various outreach events they hold throughout the year.
Hunger Fight was started in Jacksonville by Dean and Sherri Porter in 2012 with the goal of ending childhood hunger in North Florida. They offer two major programs that help battle hunger and illiteracy. Their Feed the Backpacks program provides weekend nutrition to children who are enrolled in the federal Free and Reduced Meal Plan at school. Each pouch contains four servings, which provides for the child to have breakfast and lunch on the weekends just like they receive at school.
Photo by Sylvie McCarthy
Photo by Sylvie McCarthy
“It helps to not break that cycle while leveling the playing field, and it gives them the opportunity to come back to school with dignity and be able to sit still and concentrate,” said Dean Porter. “No matter what your socioeconomic status is, everyone knows what hunger feels like.”
This program serves more than 15,000 elementary students every weekend.
Hunger Fight started their Feed the Need to Read program six years ago; it focuses on helping children develop their literacy skills by providing age-appropriate books to preschoolers. They provide brand new age-appropriate books to more than 4,000 preschoolers every month to help get them better prepared for school.
Hunger Fight also partners with different businesses, churches and civic organizations to host food-packing events. Every $1,000 donation made by the business buys a table at the event for 10 people to come pack about 2,300 meals and have a fun, impactful team building experience together. A corporation can also host a private meal packing event that would be exclusive to them and whoever they invite.
The Feed the Need to Read program helps prepare young children for school.
Photo by Sylvie McCarthy
One of Hunger Fight’s larger events is their Thanksgiving Community Outreach Event. In years past, they have had to host this event at the Prime Osborn Convention Center because of its size. This year, Hunger Fight is thrilled to host the event at their new location and take the money they would normally use to rent the convention center and put it toward more meals. The Thanksgiving event will take place Nov. 3-8. For more information, including how to volunteer, see Hunger Fight’s website at hungerfight.org.