FOOD ‘N’ FUN FOR THE FOURTH

The week leading up to July 4th, we teamed up with Second Harvest of the Big Bend to hand out Food ’N’ Fun activity packs to add some summer fun at their three Summer BreakSpot meal sites in Tallahassee!

Historically, summer meal sites would set aside a day or two during the summer to have SPIKE events to boost community participation. However, since COVID-19 began, we all know many fun activities have been cancelled.

Florida Impact to End Hunger stepped up to form creative ways in which kids who rely on those free meals can still have an enriched summer in the Sunshine State. Our activity packs also had a strong presence in South Florida and Miami.

Our North Florida Food ’N’ Fun packs included Statue of Liberty craft glasses, a star-spangled pin wheel, an activity book, hand sanitizer from our friends Florida Kid Care, and a face mask from Leon County Department of Health.

First stop was Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend, whose mentorship programs are a community asset and operates as a meal site on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Here I spent my time with Melanie Knight, handing out two meals and a Food ‘N’ Fun activity pack for each child.

Next I visited the amazing Bond Community Health Center, who operates Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Sixty-six meals were handed out during our SPIKE event.

Due to a family matter, I was not able to attend our last SPIKE event at Greater Love Church of God In Christ on Orange Avenue, but they were still able to serve smiles through their meal and activity pack distribution. Greater Love serves the community Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, and they bring the energy of a pre-COVID-19 meal site!

Being given the opportunity to coordinate and work alongside these community leaders was very exciting and rewarding. I enjoyed building these connections and plan to continue them as we all press forward to better the community.

– Kelli Greene

Administrative Coordinator

Florida Impact to End Hunger