Miami Dolphins, Stephen Ross pledge up to $3 million to provide at least 1,000 meals daily
A tragic byproduct of the coronavirus pandemic has been widespread food insecurity.
Half of American households have lost income due to coronavirus, the U.S. Census announced last week, and one in four adults said that they either did not have enough food or lacked the kind of food they needed.
The New York Times reported Tuesday that child hunger has soared “to levels without modern precedent” — due in part to the ineffectiveness of a federal program that has “reached only a small fraction of the 30 million children it was intended to help.”
Enter the Miami Dolphins, who on Wednesday announced that they will provide a minimum of 1,000 meals each weekday for up to a year to assist those in need of hunger relief and with food insecurities.
The seed money for this initiative — called the Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program — comes from a $2 million donation by owner Stephen Ross and his franchise. Ross has also pledged to match an additional $1 million in private donations; anyone who gives at least $50 or will receive a Dolphins gift from Ross and team CEO Tom Garfinkel.
The program will not only provide for those in need, it will also create jobs. The meals will be prepared by Centerplate, and will be distributed at Hard Rock Stadium each weekday to families in need in Miami Gardens through a voucher system.
“We are committed to combating food insecurity and helping to provide consistent employment as the first step in rebuilding our community, starting in Miami Gardens,” Ross said. “We are thankful for the strength that our community has shown through this pandemic and it’s our hope that this program will inspire others to give.”
“Unemployment is growing and a lot of people are suffering and need help,” Garfinkel added. “It was important for us to start at home and help the most vulnerable in our community with a long-term commitment; not just a one-time event.”
Said Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert: “Given the uncertainty of this crisis, all hands should be on deck, and all available resources tapped. The Miami Dolphins organization is stepping up and providing needed support for our Residents as we continue to fight against COVID-19.”
More information on the program is available at Dolphins.com/meals.
This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 11:44 AM.
