The Miami Dolphins this holiday season are continuing their long tradition by assisting those in need with funds or Thanksgiving meals throughout South Florida. In all, more than 5,500 meals were distributed and 10,000 people benefited from this year’s Thanksgiving meals distribution.
“This was a great opportunity to help others, especially in a season of giving. We were able to make sure some people have a meal in front of them,” Ndamukong Suh said. “I have always been brought up in a village that takes care of its own. I’m in a new village, I’m excited about it and we just want to be able to give back to all the people who support us.”
The distributions started on Thursday, November 19, and have continued through Liberty City, Little Haiti, Miami Gardens, Aventura, North Miami Beach, Hialeah, Doral, the West End and South Miami Dade.
“On behalf of the thousands of Miami-Dade residents impacted by their Thanksgiving distribution efforts, I thank Steve Ross and the Dolphins organization for their unwavering commitment to help those who need it most,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said.
This afternoon, players, coaches, Miami Dolphins Women’s Organization and mascot TD donated money to provide 500 Thanksgiving meals prepared by Publix to families from Miami-Dade and Broward counties in conjunction with Feeding South Florida at Doctors Hospital Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University.
“Thanks to the generosity of the Miami Dolphins players and coaches, 500 families who otherwise wouldn’t have a happy Thanksgiving are now able to gather around the table and enjoy the holiday festivities. These meals are truly the epitome of changing lives one meal at a time,” Feeding South Florida President & CEO Paco Vélez said.
The meals were purchased by the players and coaching staff. The families were preselected by Feeding South Florida from 50 nonprofit partner agencies. Each meal, which feeds 7-8 family members, included a turkey, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, stuffing, marshmallow delight and cranberry-orange relish.
“Every year we look forward to teaming up with our partners, the Miami Dolphins and Feeding South Florida, in an effort to ensure local families in need have a nourishing meal from the Publix Deli and a happy, healthy Thanksgiving,” Publix Media & Community Relations Manager Nicole Krauss said.
The Miami Dolphins have donated Thanksgiving meals to families in need throughout South Florida since 1992.
—DOLPHINS—