Seeing a need in their Miami Beach community, particularly for families at Fienberg Fisher K-8 School, four women joined forces and created Operation Fill the Fridge.
The families being helped have suffered a layoff or been furloughed, and they are having trouble paying rent and other essential bills as well as buying groceries. Many are single-parent homes.
Founders Mytyl Simancas, Leslie Cooper, Erin Michelle Newberg and Mabel De Beunza quickly mobilized and began seeking individuals to “adopt” a family. That meant committing to providing them food by making regular grocery runs. They reached 100 adopted families quickly, and the initiative keeps growing – with more than 200 families now being served.
Additionally, anyone interested in helping can donate through a GoFundMe fundraising campaign titled, “Fill the Fridge, and BEYOND…” The goal is to raise $100,000.
Donations go toward payment of rent or utility bills, groceries and other necessities.
The foursome express their gratitude on their page saying, “Thank you all, it takes a village and it has been extremely heartwarming in a tragedy like this where we are all affected, to witness the pure compassion and generosity of our community.”
Here are additional food resource articles on our site:
Free food distributions around Miami-Dade County
Free meals for Miami-Dade students
More Food Resources
- Restaurant Deals & Discounts Yum !
- Food Trucks & Fun At Park in Plantation
- Free food-distribution events & food-drive drop-off information
- IHOP offers IHoppy deals
- Food, Wine & Rum festivals & other food events, including free events & discounts
- Play trivia at restaurants & pubs
- Farmers markets & vendor fairs feature food, vintage wares & handmade goods
- Free Festival in Sunrise
- Deals for veterans, first responders & other front-line heroes
- Rent, utilities & other financial resources for Florida residents
More Useful Resources
- Free employment resources & recruitment events for Florida residents
- Free food-distribution events & food-drive drop-off information
- Register for free library e-card for lots of online resources
- Inexpensive rabies vaccines for pets
- Libraries offer drive-up & walk-up opportunities
- Deals for veterans, first responders & other front-line heroes
- Rent, utilities & other financial resources for Florida residents
- Free school supplies, events & resources
- Where to get a COVID vaccine in Miami-Dade
- Check out Miami On The Cheap’s special coupons page
