Philanthropist Delores Barr Weaver is donating $500,000 over two years to Feeding Northeast Florida to support the fight against hunger in 17 area counties.
In a news release, Weaver said there are about 150 nonprofits and food pantries that rely on Feeding Northeast Florida for food, “so it is very important over the entire region.”
“This is one of the many deserving organizations in our area that is meeting a very basic need, that for food, and improving the lives of many in our community every day,” she said.
Bruce Ganger, Feeding Northeast Florida president and CEO, said the donation and others over the past several months will help the agency continue to improve its “rescued food” flow to those who need it more quickly and efficiently.
The organization’s food distribution center opened about seven months ago and its distributed 10 million pounds of food throughout the 17 counties. It also had decreased “dwell time” of food at the center from three days to one. Satellite distribution offices also have been opened in Nassau and St. Johns counties.
The donation is the latest from Weaver through The Delores Barr Waver Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.