Special Events
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Neighborhood Mobile Pantry and Health Fair (March 4, 2006)
Lutheran Social Services' Second Harvest Food Bank will host its largest mobile pantry to date at the Clanzel T. Brown Community Center, 4575 Moncrief Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32209. The event has been financially sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Additionally, over 400 young people will participate in the set up and distribution process of 75,000 pounds of food as part of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Youth Servant Day Event.

CanStruction (March 1-10, 2006, The Jacksonville Library Main Branch)
A spectacular community service project spotlighting the design and construction industry giving back to the communities it helps to build. Teams of architects, engineers, and contractors compete to design and build enormous 800 cubic foot structures made entirely out of canned foods. The structures are dismantled at the close of the exhibition and the thousands of pounds of food generated from the event are donated to the Food Bank. For more information click on www.canstruction.com.

National Association Letter Carriers Food Drive (May 13, 2006)
Since 1991, The Letter Carrier Food Drive has been the largest one-day food drive in the nation and literally stocks food pantries across the country through the normally lean summer months. Postal carriers ask residents to place non-perishable food donations by their mailboxes prior to mail delivery on Saturday, May 13th. Letter carriers will collect the food donations along their routes. Volunteers will consolidate the food for delivery to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Florida, which in turn will distribute to emergency food programs throughout the area. In 2005 over 71.3 million pounds of food were collected nationwide.

National Hunger Awareness Day (June 6, 2006)
National Hunger Awareness Day is a public awareness initiative led by America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization, to help inform individuals, communities, corporations, and policy makers that hunger is a severe domestic issue but a solvable one as well. On June 6, 2006, thousands of hunger-relief advocates and volunteers along with the entire America's Second Harvest network of food banks, food rescue organizations and their agencies will participate in an activity or outreach that raises awareness about hunger and the acute situation that too many Americans face.

Jacksonville Food Fight (June 8, 2006)
The 16th Annual Jacksonville Food Fight will be held at the Crown Royal Touchdown Club at Alltel Stadium. Featuring entrees, side dishes, salads, delectable deserts and beverages from more than 40 of Jacksonville's finest restaurants, the Food Fight is the definitive gourmet extravaganza!  In addition to a glorious variety of the finest food in Jacksonville, guests enjoy live musical entertainment from leading Northeast Florida artists and will have the opportunity to participate in the Food Fight auction. Tickets are $50.00 in advance and $60.00 at the door.

Jaguar Food Drive (November 12, 2006)
The Food Bank partners with the Jacksonville Jaguars to collect food items at Winn-Dixie stores and at a Jaguars home game. Posters are distributed to those making a donation.

Empty Bowls Luncheon (November 14, 2006)
The Empty Bowls Luncheon demonstrates community support for those who are hungry in Northeast Florida. Local celebrities (including radio and tv talent) act as servers for the event. In addition to helping fight hunger, the luncheon will present a diverse program and create a memorable time for all. At this event, the Jacksonville community is invited to share a meal of soup and bread served by local celebrities. Although patrons leave feeling slightly hungry, they are filled with a greater understanding of the Food Banks mission.

Taste of NFL - Jacksonville (November 16, 2006)
The Taste of the NFL - Jacksonville is the premier celebrity dinner featuring the First Coast's most elite chefs. Celebrity guests dine and mingle with dinner attendees. The objective of the dinner is to raise public awareness and generate funds to help those coping with hunger in our community.

Food Drives (January - December 2006)
Individuals or groups are welcome to sponsor a food drive throughout the year. Food drives can be organized at the work place or at an organization. The Food Bank is available to assist groups with the success of the project.World Day Of Play (October 7, 2006)
 
Food for Families Mobile Pantry (Year Round)
The Second Harvest Food for Families Mobile Pantry program is designed to effectively distribute donated food directly to families in need in their own neighborhood. The food bank works with a sponsoring group in identifying an appropriate distribution point and recruiting volunteers to assist in the distribution. Volunteers distribute 500 "Family Boxes". Boxes containing food to supplement what may already be in clients' kitchens as well as provide complete meals for a family of four. The Food for Families Mobile Pantry sponsorship is available to interested parties throughout the year. For more information, contact the Food Bank.