THE PLAYERS and Feeding Northeast Florida’s partnership is stronger than ever as the organizations announced a $1 million gift from THE PLAYERS Championship, supporting the recently launched THE PLAYERS Center for Nutrition Security and Community Solutions, which was named in recognition of the gift.
The center’s dedication took place July 9 at the food bank’s headquarters, where representatives from THE PLAYERS, including Executive Director Lee Smith, and volunteer leadership from THE PLAYERS, joined Feeding Northeast Florida staff to celebrate the momentous occasion.
Smith presented Susan King, president and CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida, with a check for $1 million and the event concluded with members of the Red Coats, a civic group and corporate leaders who oversee THE PLAYERS volunteer efforts, helping load boxes of nonperishable items to be shipped out to those in need.
"Our ongoing partnership with THE PLAYERS Championship embodies the spirit of community and underscores the transformative power of partnership,” King said. “Both the PGA Tour and THE PLAYERS have been instrumental in advancing the mission of Feeding Northeast Florida for nearly a decade. These organizations embody a profound commitment to giving back. Together, we are making a difference for those who struggle with food insecurity: building a stronger, more compassionate community for all."
According to King, the continued support from THE PLAYERS has made the new facility and food bank, located at 5245 Old Kings Road, a reality and will allow them to make an even deeper impact within the community.
“We are not just an organization that distributes food, but we need to be an organization that changes lives, and we feel that food is just our catalyst to help people make those changes,” King said. “This facility is at the heart of that work and includes nutritionists, dietitians, and educators. It’s about finding how we can use food to help lift the people around us.”
Feeding Northeast Florida is the region’s largest nonprofit food bank and hunger relief network. Alongside its network of 500-plus food distribution and agency partners, FNEFL provides food and hopes to help the more than 310,000 individuals living in a 12-county service area who struggle to feed themselves and their families.
With support from the PGA TOUR and THE PLAYERS, more than 6.3 million meals have provided vital support to those facing hunger in our community.
Volunteer efforts from those organizations have also helped provide an additional 80,200 meals, and THE PLAYERS' contributions have further supported these efforts by funding more than 150,000 meals and donating food equivalent to 68,670 meals. “We’re thankful to our fans, partners and all members of the Northeast Florida community whose support makes this gift possible,” Smith said. “There was a vision for this property and one of my earliest memories as executive director of THE PLAYERS Championship was coming here and seeing before it was done and then seeing it now. That really represents everything that we’ve accomplished together. As a community event, we’re proud to give back where it’s needed most and support organizations like Feeding Northeast Florida. This gift reflects our commitment to making a meaningful difference in the community we call home.”
For more details and to volunteer or get involved with the effort, residents can go to feedingnefl.org.
