Concern about having enough money to pay for basic living needs is a real problem for at least 12 percent of the people in the Jacksonville area because they live in poverty. As the economy worsens, an increasing number of people in our community are forced to make the hard choice between eating and paying their rent or mortgage. Especially vulnerable are the working poor and their families. In the Jacksonville area, one in six children (more than 90,000) are at risk of going to bed without dinner each night. For every dollar raised, the Food Bank can rescue $53 worth of food and distribute it to 515 member agencies that feed these families in need.

Each year volunteers representing the local restaurant community host an event called “The Jacksonville FOODFIGHT” that features 50 of Jacksonville’s finest restaurants and beverage wholesalers/distributors who come together in friendly competition to “take a bite out of hunger” by raising funds and awareness for the Second Harvest Food Bank. More than 1,000 guests are tempted to taste everything they see from the glorious variety of the finest foods and spirits displayed throughout two floors of the fabulous Crown Royal Touchdown Club in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Live musical entertainment, a silent auction, and an exciting raffle round out the evening. All proceeds benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank. Since 1989, the Jacksonville Food Fight has raised more than $800,000 in the fight against hunger.

For more infomation contact Tia Ford at 904-739-7074 or email her at tford@lssjax.org