Food Security Advocates Receive Keys to the City of North Miami Beach

Joshua’s Heart Foundation, Farm Share Inc, JCS Kosher Foodbank, Tomchei Shabbos, Love to Help Foundation, and Build a Better Tomorrow each received Keys to the City at Commission Meeting.

When it comes to hunger, there are six organizations that standout for their service to South Florida communities. September is Hunger Action Month, and the City of North Miami Beach’s Commissioner, Fortuna Smuckler recognized Farm Share Inc., Joshua’s Heart Foundation, JCS Kosher Foodbank, Tomchei Shabbos, Love to Help Foundation and Build a Better Tomorrow at its recent commission meeting. These six organizations have provided undaunting support in North Miami Beach and throughout South Florida for over 40 years combined.

Their unwavering service to community provided thousands of needy and underserved families both before and during the pandemic with healthy and nutritious foods provisioned to feed a family of four at each food distribution. That practice continues today. COVID-19 brought hunger front and center to the nation’s attention. However, food insecurity is not a pandemic driven plight; statistics reveal this harrowing fact - over thirty-four million people in the U.S., including nine million children, are food insecure, many of whom are working class families who cannot make ends meet.

The pandemic was a time of heightened need. With each wave they were there to ensure families received groceries that included healthy food groups, milk, water, and personal items to help keep families safe and well nourished.

For these extraordinary efforts, The City of North Miami Beached honored them for their commitment to reducing and working towards ending hunger and poverty. Representatives from each organization were on hand to receive their keys, all humbled and grateful for the award and thankful to the commission for recognizing their challenging work.

“Jewish Community Services of South Florida’s (JCS) Kosher Food Bank is honored to receive the key to the City of North Miami Beach,” said JCS President & CEO, Miriam Singer. “It is our distinct privilege to call the Board and Staff of the City of NMB and Joshua’s Heart Foundation treasured community partners, and we look forward to all we will accomplish together in service to our beloved community. Thank you for this incredible honor!”

Stephen Shelley, Farm Share’s CEO said, “On behalf of the team at Farm Share, our board, volunteers, and those who benefit from our services in North Miami Beach, we are thankful for this great recognition of service bestowed upon us by the City of North Miami Beach. Farm Share has been, and will always be, committed to fighting hunger in North Miami Beach and will continue to empower our partner agencies like Joshua’s Heart and The Kosher Food Bank to feed hungry persons in need. As a result of decades of high inflation, food insecurity is again at substantially elevated levels. Farm Share is grateful to its partners and the City of North Miami Beach for their commitment to making sure their residents have access to the food they need to survive these trying times.” 

“Farm Share is aware and is witness to the increase in food assistance demand in Florida due to the economic situation. One of those communities is that of North Miami Beach. A community of hardworking families that are struggling to pay for increased rent payments, utility payments, gas, and to keep food on their tables. 

Farm Share is Florida’s largest independent food bank and is committed to making sure that in Florida, no person goes hungry, and no food goes to waste. Farm Share is proud of its track record of efficiency and history in serving the state of Florida and those under food insecurity,” he concluded.

“It is a great honor to be a part of this amazing team of hunger advocates who fight to preserve dignity among the poor and underserved communities we serve. I am humbled by this honor and thank the City of North Miami Beach for this recognition,” said Joshua Williams-Founder & Chief Changemaker, Joshua’s Heart Foundation.