Take part in the FOOD DRIVE CHALLENGE, and make a difference in your community!
The LSS Second Harvest Food Bank is challenging local businesses and organizations to take on a food drive campaign with a specific goal. The need to feed the hungry is not only ongoing but escalating. In order to meet this great demand, the Food Bank is working hard to raise an additional 200,000 pounds of nonperishable food for the holiday season. We want to challenge your organization to partner with us by taking on 10 percent of this goal (20,000 pounds) between now and the start of the new year. Or, we welcome pledges of 5,000, 10,000, or 15,000 pounds of food as well.

The Food Bank will help make your FOOD DRIVE CHALLENGE as successful as possible by providing your organization with collection barrels, PR materials, frequent pick-ups of food, and photo opportunities at the end of the drive.

We would like to thank the following organizations and businesses that have already stepped up to the plate and accepted our FOOD DRIVE CHALLENGE!

If your business or organization would like to help us reach our goal of 200,000 pounds of food by this holiday season, then give us a call. We are ready to start whenever you are!
CONTACT: Rev. Larry Riley, Food Procurement, 904.353.3663, ext. 234.

UPDATE: Sept. 26, 2007 - The 5th Annual Jacksonville Jaguars Taste of the NFL had a record-breaking night! With $174,980 raised, these funds will provide more than 648,000 meals for the hungry in our community. Thank you to EVERYONE involved - it was truly an unforgettable night!

$10,000 - SUPER BOWL SPONSORS

   

$5,000 - TOUCHDOWN SPONSORS
          

       

EVENT SPONSORS
     

Special thanks to the following event contributors:
Black Tie Formals
Creative Tabletops
Gallo Winery
Premier Beverage Co.
Roy Brewer
Spectrum Signs & Graphics
Starlight Valet
Southern Wine & Spirits
The Kelly-Scott Jazz Quintet
Wilson's Limited Inc.

UPDATE: June 19, 2007 - This year's Food Fight was the best ever! Thank you to everyone who supported the event, including guests, volunteers, sponsors, and of course the amazing restuarants, caterers, and beverage distributors. Special thanks and appreciation also goes out to the tireless work and dedication of the Food Fight volunteer committee.

The 17th Annual Jacksonville Food Fight raised over $55,300 in net revenue, which is almost $10,000 more than last year! The money raised is the equivalent of 307,000 pounds of food or 204,600 meals for hungry people in our Northeast Florida community. Again, we thank you for "being a part of the solution" and supporting the work of the LSS Second Harvest Food Bank.

The following restuarants received the Food Fight Restaurant Choice Award, which is voted on by all participating restaurants for best overall display and food:
FIRST PLACE: Harry's Seafood Bar and Grill
SECOND PLACE: Peterbrooke Chocolatier
THIRD PLACE: Twisted Martini

Another big thank you goes out to the LSS JETSET group for putting together an amazing raffle. JETSET (Junior Executives Today Setting Examples for Tomorrow) is a group of junior executives in Jacksonville's business community that serve as ambassadors of Lutheran Social Services and help further the agency's mission.

JETSET was able to secure five fabulous prizes and organized a wonderful raffle for the Food Fight that not only provided fun for the guests, but also raised an additional $11,360.

Congratulations to our Raffle winners!
Robert Rotar - A year of free Chick-fil-A courtesy of Chick-fil-A at Roosevelt Square
Debra Poulin - 2-night stay at Laterra Resort & Spa
Paul Halloran - diamond and white gold locket courtesy of Miriam's Fine Jewelry
Dave Leininger - 52" TV courtesy of Wal-Mart
Joy Tenhager - Jacksonville Jaguars game day experience

Sponsored by EverBank, the 17th Annual Jacksonville Food Fight was held at the Crown Royal Touchdown Club East at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on Thursday, June 7, 2007, 6-9 p.m. More than 40 of Jacksonville's finest restaurants and beverage wholesalers came together to raise money and awareness to help Lutheran Social Services Second Harvest Food Bank combat hunger in our community.

In addition to the great food and spirits, there was live entertainment courtesy of the local band Mid-life Crisis and a silent auction featuring an array of exciting items, such as Jaguar memorabilia, fine wines, weekend getaways, golf packages, jewelry, Jacksonville Symphony orchestra tickets, dining certificates, fabulous artwork, and much more. Over 900 patrons came out to sample entrees and beverages prepared or provided by Northeast Florida's best restaurants.

The following restaurants are some of those that participated at the Jacksonville Food Fight^®:

This event is one of the best of its kind. There are many “tasting” events held throughout the year, but this event is put on by a volunteer committee of Lutheran Social Services representing the restaurant and beverage community, and there is a friendly competition between all of the participants showcasing their signature items. All of the proceeds benefit the Lutheran Social Services Second Harvest Food Bank, which provides assistance to 515 non-profit agencies feeding hungry people throughout Northeast Florida. The event raised nearly $46,000 in 2006. This money provided more than 148,000 meals to local families coping with hunger.

NOTE: The LSS Second Harvest Food Bank does not provide direct aid, but rather works in cooperation with over 500 community based nonprofit partner agencies that serve individuals and families in need in Northeast Florida.

If you are hungry or otherwise in need of assistance, please call United Way's 211 "First Call for Help" (Dial 2-1-1 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a listing of organizations that can help you in your area).

Click here to learn more about United Way of Northeast's Florida 2-1-1 referral service.