In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic and with the rise of unemployment, many South Floridians are struggling to make ends meet and provide food for their families. At the Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation in Liberty City, thousands of meals have been packed and delivered to those in need.
“I’m feeling much better, thank God,” said Ida.
Ida Everett received a hot meal today and couldn’t be happier. “I’ve been waiting on this food,” she said.
She is the among the hundreds of thousands of seniors in South Florida affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and she depends on these meals every week.
“Our seniors are the most vulnerable population and have been shuttered in since the pandemic,” said Christine King, President and CEO of the MLK Economic Development Corporation
King says she hears from senior citizens in need almost everyday.
“We provide meals to several senior homes and single family homes. One senior will get a meal and she’ll tell a friend and that person will call and say 'Hey, I need a meal, can I have a meal as well?', and we’re trying not to turn anyone down,” said King.
To help serve more people in need, King partnered with Centner Academy and the City of Miami.
“We have seniors going to bed hungry, we have children going to bed hungry. I figured it was the least we can do. We also have volunteers, parents, and students who are helping distribute the food and at least doing whatever they can,” said Leila Centner, CEO of Centner Academy
“In result of unemployment, people have less ability to feed themselves. That’s why this partnership is important. So I took funding from the city of Miami and applied it to the MLKEDC to provide hot meals for the people who live in our community,” said Commissioner Keon Hardemon.
The meals are prepared at the MLK Community kitchen by celebrity Chef De’Bronya Hodges then delivered to senior citizens in low-income neighborhoods.
“When I first went out, in Overtown, the seniors were concerned about being left, but because of the hot meals every Tuesday and Friday, they feel comfort. They look forward to us coming there on Tuesdays and Fridays,” said Martha Whisby Wells, volunteer.
Christine says just today, they’ll deliver 1,000 meals to seniors in the area. If you’re in need or if you’re interested in volunteering, click here for more information.
You can also email them at info@mlkmiami.com.
