[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 5 (Monday, January 31, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E34]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SOUTH FLORIDA FOOD RECOVERY; FEEDING THE POOR, NEEDY AND HOMELESS

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                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 31, 2000

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, South Florida Food Recovery 
recently completed its eighth ``Toys for Tots'' program, in cooperation 
with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and sponsored by the city of North 
Miami Beach. This effort was an enormous success, helping make the 
holidays brighter for more than 5,000 children.
  Our entire community appreciates the efforts of the hundreds of 
contributors, sponsors, and volunteers. I want to particularly 
recognize the efforts of South Florida Food Recovery's founder, the 
Honorable Jule Littman, who has served the city of North Miami Beach 
with distinction in many official capacities and who continues to 
dedicate his efforts to helping the neediest people in our community. 
Congratulations to him and to his entire staff for another job well 
done.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with my colleagues an article on 
this matter that appeared in the Community Newspapers of Miami. I hope 
it will inspire more communities to follow the example set by South 
Florida Food Recover.

             [From the Community Newspaper, Dec. 27, 1999]

        SFFR Joins Marines To Bring Holiday Cheer to Needy Kids

                           (By Bari Auerbach)

       More than 20,000 toys and 7,000 leather sneakers were 
     distributed recently to needy children during the eighth 
     annual ``Toys for Tots'' giveaway hosted by South Florida 
     Food Recovery (SFFR) and the U.S. Marine Corps at Patricia A. 
     Mishcon Park in North Miami Beach.
       Santa Claus (alias Bill Lindsay, a SFFR volunteer) helped 
     distribute toys to at least 5,000 children from all over 
     Miami-Dade County. The toys were donated by many corporations 
     and members of the community.
       In addition to pony and railroad car rides, there were 
     special treats for hungry appetites including 10,000 slices 
     of pizza donated by Papa John's, 5,000 hot dogs served by 
     such civic organizations as the North Miami Beach Kiwanis 
     Club and the North Bay Village Optimist Club, plus cake, ice 
     cream, cookies, milk in mugs, soda, candy and more.
       The North Miami Pops Orchestra played holiday classics, 
     plus favorite characters like Burnie, the Miami Heat mascot, 
     and a purple dinosaur mingled with the children while 
     BellSouth Mobility offered free calls to send holiday 
     greetings anywhere in the U.S.
       ``This year's Toys for Tots event was bigger and better 
     than ever, thanks to the generous support of many sponsors,'' 
     said Jule Littman, executive director of South Florida Food 
     Recovery.
       ``Special thanks goes out to the City of North Miami Beach, 
     City of North Miami, City of Miami, United Way of Miami-Dade, 
     McArthur Dairy, Publix: Costco, 7-11, Papa John's, Flemings, 
     Mahi Shrine Clowns, Bill Seidel Motors, BellSouth, Americare, 
     North Miami Beach Pops Orchestra, North Miami Beach Kiwanis 
     and Feed the Children.''
       The concept for South Florida Food Recovery originated 
     about 20 years ago when a truckload of cheese was inherited 
     by the City of North Miami Beach and Littman arranged to have 
     the cheese distributed to the needy.
       ``Much to everyone's surprise, there were many men, women 
     and families with small children who lined the street for the 
     free cheese giveaway,'' Littman said.
       Once the need was recognized, Littman, along with civic 
     minded volunteers and food administering agencies, started 
     their mission to feed the poor, needy and homeless by 
     bringing together food items and supplies from a variety of 
     industries.
       Today, South Florida Food Recovery, a non-profit 
     organization, recovers and distributes food, free of charge, 
     without discrimination to needy people in Florida on a 
     regular basis and to disaster zones in times of emergency.
       To inquire about volunteering for future SFFR events or to 
     donate items, phone 305-891-8811.

     

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