In the United States, more than one out of five children lives in a household with food insecurity, which means they do not always know where they will find their next meal. A critical component to a healthy life is nutrition.
Liberia Economic & Social Development, Inc (LES) is a non profit community economic development organization located in the Liberia community of Hollywood. Although housing is the focus of the organization, the need for social service and food assistance has increased over the years.
“We served 675 families in June, 712 in May and 684 in April at the food pantry,” recalls community activist Marty Jacobsen who has been a LES board member for the last three years and volunteer for over six years. “We service approximately 500 families a month. Each family can come up to twice a week. They receive bread, meat, rice beans and canned goods.”
“Families from Dade and Broward Counties walk into our doors daily, LES realizes that right now, many of these residents are struggling with hunger,” explains Henry L. Graham, Executive Director of LES. “They are often hard-working adults, children and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and are forced to go without food for several meals, or even days.”
Within the past several years, LES has become the local agency to meet their food security needs.
Besides Hollywood residents, Dania Beach is the next highest number of families coming to receive services. Since January 2013, LES have received over 3,350 families to receive food. With financial and food contributions from the community and organizations like Memorial Healthcare, and J M Family Enterprise, Inc., LES is one of the only pantries in South Florida that is open more than one day a week.
LES is currently in need of a large, freezer chest in addition to food and clothing to assist local residents.
Located at 2334 Greene Street in Hollywood, Florida, the LES Food Pantry is open to clients Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon.
If you are interested in donating food or clothing to LES, or for more information, call (954) 924-3636 or visit their website at: www.lesinc.us.
