Bahamas Feeding Network Steak-out Raises Funds and Awareness
The flame of 10 grills seared the steaks and chicken while volunteers stood ready, assembly line style, to mount sides of potatoes, corn and rolls into plates during the Bahamas Feeding Network (BFN) steak-out recently held at the Network’s Moseff House headquarters in Fox Hill.
The fundraiser, the first of its kind for the organization that partners with more than 120 churches, soup kitchens and feeding centres providing more than 3,000 hot meals weekly along with distributing nearly 400 bags of groceries, sought to sell 3,200 dinners at $12 per plate with all funds going directly to feeding the hungry.
“I want to hand it to each and every person who came out on Saturday and supported us,” beamed Philip Smith, executive director of the Bahamas Feeding Network. “Our goal was to sell and prepare over 3,000 plates of food throughout the day, an undertaking that was no small feat and required an all-hands-on-deck approach. With the backing of the Network’s core volunteers of some 50 persons in addition to members of various civic organizations including Rotary and Rotaract Clubs and lodges among others, all stations were manned.”
Members of the public towed the lines steadily with tickets in hand to lend support to the organization while listening to the sounds of DJ Fats Edison who offered his time free of charge for the six hour duration of the event after seeing promotion of the steak-out.
“When I saw the information online I decided to reach out to them to see if I could assist in anyway,” said DJ Fats. “They are doing a great job and helping so many people in need. It’s the least I could do.”
Major wholesalers and corporate Bahamas responded to the appeal by donating items in kind or purchasing tickets in bulk.
“We would like to sincerely thank our membership that did a tremendous job of selling tickets, the wholesalers and retailers that contributed food items, the many individuals and companies that donated cash toward the purchase of food items as well as the general public for their awesome support in the purchasing of tickets.”
Founded in 2013 as the brainchild of H.E. Frank Crothers, Ambassador from Malta and the Vatican to The Bahamas, the Bahamas Feeding Network directors are among the leading civic and businesspersons in The Bahamas including Chairman Felix Stubbs. The non-profit organization has distributed more than $450,000 in food vouchers over the last four years to its members of churches, soup kitchens and feeding centers.
Interested in making a donation or for further information about the Bahamas Feeding Network, call 676-2636, 324-8353 or visit bahamasfeedingnetwork.org.