- November 17, 2024
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The following is an adapted news release from the Flagler County communications office:
Feed Flagler, a popular hot meal and food gathering event that spreads the community spirit of Thanksgiving in Flagler County, is gathering steam once again.
Hosted by Flagler County but carried out by a coalition of community groups, volunteers and area churches, Feed Flagler restocks community pantries with non-perishable food. It also provides one hot meal or all the makings of a meal for a family, including a turkey for all those who request it.
There are more people employed in Flagler County and a definite upswing in the number of jobs, but the slow recovery still has not spread to all levels of society. The homeless and struggling families still exist in all corners of the county. “It is a community wide effort to lend a helping hand to our neighbors,” Commissioner Nate McLaughlin said. McLaughlin serves at the chairman of the Team Feed Flagler Committee.
The committee has met and an army of volunteers is on the move gathering food, funds and locations to serve. This year’s theme is the same as last year's: “Focusing On The Family.”
In addition to 900 hot meals served at four key locations in Flagler County last year, 524 family boxes that included a frozen turkey and various grocery items were handed out. The effort also raised $21,453 to pay for the meals. Frozen turkeys and the remaining funds were donated to community food pantries.
“We are excited about a new location,” Deputy County Administrator Sally Sherman said. “The owners of Oceanside Grill have agreed to sponsor a hot meal site in Flagler Beach from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.”
The Bunnell First Methodist Church will also serve on Thanksgiving from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Two other sites, the First AME Church of Palm Coast and the Hammock First Baptist Church, will have meal sites open from 3-6 p.m. on Nov. 26, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
The non-perishable food drive is already underway with at least 10 competitive teams taking aim at the perennial champions of the food drive, United Way’s Chicks With Cans.
The public may participate in the 2014 Focusing on Families initiative in several ways. Financial contributions are needed to provide the hot meals and provide funding for operating food pantries in Flagler County. Volunteers will also be needed to sort the non-perishable canned goods and assist at various fundraising activities.
Interested individuals, organizations or businesses who want to assist may contact Christie Mayer at the Flagler County Administration office at 313-4001 or send a check to the Flagler County Commission at 1769 East Moody Blvd. Building 2, Bunnell Fl. 32110.
WANT TO HELP?
Collect: Gather non-perishable food items such as: instant potatoes, rice, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, canned fruit, stuffing mix, muffin or biscuit mix, gravy mix; and sign up as a competition team or drop your goods off at a location around town. Drop-off locations are listed at www.feedflagler.org.
Donate: Every $10 donation feeds a family of four, thanks to the efforts of our partners.
Make checks payable to the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners.
Mail to the Flagler County Administration, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 2, Bunnell, FL 32110.
WHERE TO GO:
Wednesday, November 26, 2014:
Hammock First Baptist Church
5328 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Hammock
3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
First AME Church
91 Old Kings Road N., Palm Coast
3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 27:
Bunnell First United Methodist Church
205 Pine Street, Bunnell
11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Oceanside Beach Bar and Grill
1848 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach
11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Family Meal Boxes will be available to those families who sign up to receive one (while supplies last). Contact Team Feed Flagler at 313-4001 for more information.
