Flagler food-a-thon aims to raise $200K to help local families
A “food-a-thon" is underway for Grace Community Food Pantry with the goal of raising enough money to supply food to families in need for a year, according to a press release.
“The food-a-thon goal is to raise enough money so we can purchase $1 million in healthy fresh foods for those local families in need," Pastor Charles Silano, director of the food pantry, stated in a press release.
Grace Community Food Pantry, in partnership with Flagler Broadcasting, is conducting the “Million Dollar Food-A-Thon."
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Silano said the pantry receives about 3,500 visits per month – “during the pandemic it was 6,500 families per month” – and distributes about 3.5 million pounds of food per year.
Silano said he purchases products at 18 cents a pound and sometimes gets better rates than that. The food bank is run by volunteers, Silano said in an audio clip in the release from Flagler Broadcasting.
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin said in the clip that donating to the food pantry is a good way to help the community.
“This is also an economic moment of great distress for so many of our friends and neighbors right here in Palm Coast,” Alfin said. “I believe that we as a city need a thing that we can all rally around, that we can all support, that we can all get behind. We will be successful with this and know that we have done a wonderful thing.”
The goal of the food-a-thon, which began in June, is to raise $200,000 which, with a 5-to-1 "buying power ratio," will purchase $1 million worth of food, the release stated.
Vice Mayor Eddie Branquinho made the first donation, $200, during a Palm Coast City Council meeting following a presentation by Silano.
Flagler Broadcasting President & CEO David Ayres stated in a press release: “Our radio stations are in tune with many sectors of Flagler County and many people are experiencing unprecedented financial challenges just to make ends meet.”
That will allow for every local family in need to receive a box with $100 worth of food each week or $400 per month, the release stated.
“To many families that’s the difference between making a car or rent payment, buying back to school supplies or whatever they need," Silano said.
Businesses, churches, organizations and individuals can collect donations until July 8 when the totals will be tallied on air on WNZF at 94.9 FM and 1550 AM. The company also has other radio stations, including Beach 92.7 FM and KIX Country 98.7 FM.
Donors can call the radio station to make pledges or send an email. They can also go by the radio station at 2405 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell. The live food-a-thon broadcast will air from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, July 8.
Businesses that contribute will be promoted in local media at no charge; email foodathon@flaglerradio.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Flagler food-a-thon aims to raise $200,000 to buy food for families
