happy first birthday to THE PANTRY OF BROWARD!
 

"Super Grandma" Annette

Annette had everything planned for her retirement - she and her husband would move from Brooklyn to Florida and live in a senior condo and enjoy the sun. But life had other plans... Annette's daughter went through a messy divorce and granddaughter Kimberly came to live with her grandparents "temporarily," 11 years ago. Annette's husband passed away suddenly and she fell and became wheel chair bound.

But looking after her granddaughter has become her life. She accompanies Kimberly on the 1.5 mile walk to her middle school each day, giving her a ride on her electric wheel chair when she gets tired! She helps her with her homework and gives her a stable, loving family environment despite the economic challenges and her disabilities.

Annette tries to survive on a meager income from Social security, but it is almost impossible for her with so many health issues and a growing grandchild to feed.

When Annette turned to The Pantry of Broward for help, her electricity had been cut off for 10 days because she was unable to pay the bill. The Pantry of Broward was there for Annette and Kimberly with food, emergency utility payments, counseling and a series of other support services.

If grandparents raising grandchildren do not receive adequate support, there will be no other alternative but to place their grandchildren in foster care which is not in the best interest of the child and certainly does not make economic sense either. One in 11 grandparents in the US is now the principal caregiver for their grandchildren. There are an estimated 500,000 children in foster care yet more than 2.5 million grandchildren being raised by their grandparents. Grandparents have become a de facto foster care system.

Annette, this super Grandma, is doing more than her fair share to help raise her lovely granddaughter and The Pantry of Broward is pleased to be there to help.

The Pantry of Broward is trying to raise support to redecorate and improve Annette's apartment where she lives with Kimberly. It really needs repainting and a change in the floor to facilitate her wheelchair. If you would like to help, please <click here>.

CBS4'S NEIGHBORS 4 NEIGHBORS LAUNCHES EFFORT TO REPLENISH SOUTH FLORIDA FOOD BANKS

Click Photo Below For Complete Report
and To Watch Other TV Spots.

FCBS4's Neighbors 4 Neighbors will team up with Chick-fil-A restaurants throughout South Florida to sponsor the "Food 4 South Florida" food drive from Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 31. The food drive aims to replenish shrinking food bank supplies for families facing financial hardship. The Pantry of Broward - serving seniors in need on low incomes and grandparents raising grandchildren - will benefit from food collected in Broward County.

Because the economy is also making it harder for pet owners, Neighbors will also accept pet food donations and arrange distribution for the community's furry friends. The Pantry of Broward's seniors in need are often alone and their cat or dog is their only family. When times get tough, the senior will usually feed their pet before they feed themselves.

The public is asked to drop off dry foods and cans of food at any of the nine Chick-fil-A locations in Broward and Miami-Dade counties: Dadeland Mall (Food Court), Doral FSU, The Fountains of Miramar, Pembroke Lakes Mall, Sawgrass Square, Westfield Broward (Broward Mall); 8190 W Commercial Blvd, Lauderhill; Coral Square Mall, and 1341 N University Dr, in Coral Springs.

For a list of the needed foods <click here>. If you are too busy to drop off food but would like to help, you can text a $5 food donation on your cell phone to The Pantry of Broward by texting the word FOOD to 20222. The $5 donation will be charged to your phone bill.

Hinson Office Supply, Conducting Food Drive with Clients

From June 1, 2009 through August 1, 2009 Hinson Office Supply will be collecting donated food from their clients. Each time Hinson delivers supplies to a client, they will also pick up non perishable food items from their client and donate the food to The Pantry of Broward.

<Click Here> to learn more about Hinson Office Supply.

Thank you Hinson and Clients

'Bella's Group' Has Successful Event, Helping Grandchildren and The Pantry of Broward

Dr. Marietta Glazer (Bella's Group), Cindy Mallay, Ron Albert, & Judy Berman (Pantry staff and volunteers)	Andrew and Christian brought food to support The Pantry
Drs. Marietta and Ira Glazer their grandchildren Isabella and Gabriella Natarelli, Gia Tutalo-Mote and daughter, and Cindy Mallay of The Pantry

'Bella's Group,' the non-profit organization created to support children who are being raised by grandparents and other relatives, had a very successful 4th event, a festive pool party on July 12th at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club, underwritten in part by Linda & Doug Von Allmen and Dr. Arthur Feinberg.

Children and adults brought canned goods to support The Pantry of Broward ... a lesson in giving back to the community! The event brought in over 85 pounds of food to help Pantry Clients.

The concept was the brain child of third-grader Isabella Natarelli, who along with her sister Gabriella, are being raised by their grandparents, Drs. Marietta and Ira Glazer. The two girls searched the internet, only to discover there wasn't a support group in South Florida for children being raised by relatives. So, together, grandparents and grandchildren helped launch Bella's Group, named after Isabella! This unique group offers emotional support with a focus on having fun parties that brings children, and the relatives that are raising them, together to socialize and share positive experiences.

It's interesting to note the statistics that 35,000 children in Broward County are being raised by family members... not their parents. Some are heart breaking... and heart warming stories. Because of the laws, it can take more than $100,000.00 in legal and court fees and about two years for grandparents to finally have the right to adopt their grand-children.

To view the latest video on this event <Click Here>.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 (Sun-Sentinel Society Broward)

St. Lawrence Gallery and The Pantry of Broward Ambassadors' Hold Triumphant Event, Celebrating the Art of Marilyn Johansen

A great time was had by all, enjoying beautiful art, meeting new friends, and sharing the good news of The Pantry of Broward. The event raised $242 to support and serve the clients of The Pantry. Thank you to all who supported and participated in this wonderful event.

Pat DuMont and Marilyn Johansen	BJ Buntrock and Marilyn Johansen
Bruce Harris, Pat DuMont, Ana Lennon, Wini Amaturo

BANK OF AMERICA FOUNDATION MAKES GENEROUS DONATION TO THE PANTRY OF BROWARD

July 1, 2009

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation made a generous $ 20,000 donation to The Pantry of Broward to help with programs for seniors in need and grandparents raising grandchildren throughout Broward County.

"This wonderful support comes at a critical time of year for The Pantry of Broward," commented Penny Loughan, the agency's CEO. "During the summer months food donations drop but the demand for services continues. This gift will help us continue our services. We are very grateful to Bank of America for all they have done to help serve the seniors in our community through The Pantry of Broward."

The check was presented by (LtoR) Katrina W. Wright, Senior Vice President, Community Relations Manager; Mark R. Mallar, President Broward County, Bank of America; Penny Loughan, CEO, The Pantry of Broward and Debbi J. Correale, Senior Vice President, Global Treasury.