Contact: Marilyn BrummittDevelopment DirectorOffice: (305) 571-2200

Cell: (941) 223-0529marilynb@caringplace.org

Miami Rescue Mission/Broward Outreach Centers Feed the Homeless and Hungry at the Great Thanksgiving Banquet and Block Party

Nearly 3,000 Thanksgiving Meals Were Served to Those Who Need It Most

November 22, 2012Miami, Florida

The Miami Rescue Mission/Broward Outreach Centers served almost 3,000 traditional meals this Thanksgiving starting around 11:00 a.m. until the last hungry person was fed around 1:00 p.m. Over 600 volunteers served and waited on the homeless and hungry of South Florida at their three campuses in Miami, Hollywood and Pompano Beach. Helping the hundreds of volunteers were such great Honorary Chairs including the Hollywood Commissioner Peter Hernandez, Mayor of Tamarac Pamela Bushnell, Michael Capponi of the Capponi Group, as well as several models from Bella Fashions Design.

Those in attendance were treated to a fantastic meal that consisted of turkey, mashed potatoes, a green bean casserole, stuffing, pumpkin pie and other tasty treats. In addition to the meal, a medical team was on-hand to provide wellness checkups, a barber provided free hair cuts, and thousands of free clothing items, plus, “Hope Tote” bags filled with hygiene products and other necessary items were given out at all three campuses. Over 3,500 articles of clothing and shoes were given to the needy, along with more than 200 people taking advantage of a hot shower, and over 1,500 people getting a tote filled with supplies and most important over 100 people decided to get of the streets and enter the program, “this is the main reason we hold these type of event says Marilyn Brummitt, Development Director.”

.

“I can’t believe how amazing this is. Everybody is so happy to be here, including myself. I know that without the Broward Outreach Center, I wouldn’t have a real Thanksgiving meal to look forward to.” said Tom, a Hollywood resident, and a first time diner at the Great Thanksgiving Banquet.

In addition to the Thanksgiving meal, there was entertainment at each location for both children and adults that included live music, a fashion show, and a kid’s corner that had a moon bounce, cotton candy and games, as well as other fun activities. It was a fun place for the kids with over 130 children getting to play and feel like they were at the fair. Various giveaways and services were on each campus during the outside event and festivities. Services like shoulder massages were additional treats that anyone could take advantage of today.

“This experience is something that will stick with me for a lifetime. Even with everything wrong that has gone on in my life, this celebration is something I am very, very thankful for,” stated Elizabeth who attended the event in Pompano Beach.

-------MORE---------

Honorary Chair at the Hollywood Campus, Hollywood Commissioner Peter Hernandez, a Cuban native, had this to say, “I can relate to many of you because when I was nine years old I was not only homeless I was country less but I am here to tell you there is hope and you are at the right place to get that hope and change your life. This is such a wonderful way to give back to the community. To be out here, helping those in the community who might not have much of a Thanksgiving that is what makes me smile.”

Shot 1: Hollywood Commissioner Peter Hernandez & FamilyShot 2: Miami crowd waiting to be served a Thanksgiving mealShot 3: Miami Rescue Mission President Ron Brummitt with volunteers- Miami Shot 4: Miami Families and children at the Thanksgiving festivitiesShot 5: Miami man getting a free haircut at the Miami campusShot 6: Hollywood Crowd waiting to be servedShot 7: Hollywood Thanksgiving guestShot 8: Very thankful Thanksgiving guestShot 9: Group shot of volunteers at the Hollywood campus

Since 1922 the Miami Rescue Mission (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization) Centers have served the homeless and needy men,

women, and children of Miami. Every day the organization provides food, shelter, clothing, education, job training, spiritual direction and long-term rehabilitation programs in Miami, Hollywood and Pompano to nearly 1,000 homeless on a daily basis. The mission

also has at-risk after-school and summer day camp youth programs. The Miami Rescue Mission started reaching out to the homeless in Broward County in 1992 and in 1997 the Broward Outreach Center in Hollywood was opened. Then in 2002 the Broward Outreach Center in Pompano Beach was opened to serve the homeless in the north end of Broward. For additional

information: www.browardoutreachcenter.com or www.miamirescuemission.com

############