Joint effort leads to Key West food giveaway

'Feed the hungry'

CONTRIBUTED

“There’s no limit to what a man can accomplish if he doesn’t care who gets the credit.”

This and similar statements have been attributed to President Harry Truman and others, but likely originated more than a century ago with a Jesuit priest.

Either way, it’s an appropriate sentiment for the group effort that will feed the hungry from 9 a.m. to noon this Thursday, May 14 at Key West City Hall, 1300 White St. in the rear parking lot. 

Farm Share is teaming up with Caleb and Calder Sloan’s Awesome Foundation, Pirate Radio and the City of Key West to host a drive-thru food distribution to support Florida Keys residents who are facing food insecurities during the coronavirus pandemic. 

“We’re thankful for the opportunity to collaborate to feed hundreds of families in the Keys; we understand the need is still high for food and it’s an honor to serve the Key West community,” said Farm Share CEO Stephen Shelley. 

Farm Share serves more than 2,000 partnering agencies and provides more than 88 million pounds of food annually –  at no cost – with the help of thousands of volunteers. Farm Share serves all 67 counties in Florida through warehouses in Quincy, Jacksonville, Florida City, Homestead and Pompano Beach. 

Recipients must arrive at the event in a vehicle with their windows up and their trunks open. All recipients must have a nose/mouth covering. No early admittance is available for recipients and all food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.  

The following items will be provided: fresh produce, non-perishable canned goods, protein, water and juice. 

“Pirate Radio is always about giving back to our community and this food giveaway is the perfect way for us to do this along with the Awesome Foundation,” said Jack Smith, managing partner at Pirate Radio Key West, WKYZ-FM. 

Donations can be made via FarmShare.org or by texting “EAT” to 41-444. Farm Share will continue to host events throughout the state.      

“The Florida Keys, and particularly Key West, are our family’s happy place. When we learned about the amazing work of Farm Share, Key West immediately popped into our minds as the perfect location for the first stop of The Awesome Food Giveaway,”  said Chris and Carla Sloan, co-founders of Caleb and Calder Sloan’s Awesome Foundation.

We’re fortunate to be able to work with these groups to bring a little relief to the wonderful One Human Family when they need it most.”

Caleb and Calder Sloan’s Awesome Foundation is a 501(3)c non-profit focused on child advocacy, children’s social issues and water safety. It was created in memory of Calder Jacob Sloan, who was only 7 when he died in a tragic accident  caused by the electrification of a  metal light in the family’s swimming pool. Calder’s younger brother, Caleb, will play an active role in the foundation as he grows up. 

Since its founding in 2016, the foundation has succeeded in changing Florida’s pool safety codes; raised awareness of the dangers of electrical wiring in pools  and homes; transformed and beautified three inner-city schools; packed thousands of backpacks with school supplies for underprivileged children; supported Parkland High School students in the wake of the shooting; responded to numerous natural disasters with supplies and matching funds. 

The Awesome Foundation is now embarking on a series of food giveaways for families,  communities and people in need throughout South Florida partnering with Farm Share.

Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.