Joshua's Heart Foundation Feeding Campaign

One child dies every five seconds from hunger-related cause. Margaret Mead (1901–1978), distinguished anthropologist, author, and scientist, elegantly states, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” The President of the Board of Directors, Joshua Williams, is nine (9) years old and committed to the advancement of stomping out hunger. The populations found to be at the highest risk of being hungry in our society are women, children, and the working poor. Joshua’s Heart Foundation’s consumers are, for the most part, youth and families in a “rescue, restore, and re-stabilize mode.” These families are experiencing economic devastation and struggling to meet their basic needs; and for some of these families, life’s forces have brought about un-imaginary worries and grief, and without a structured system of support, life presents a bleak outlook. Moreover, and equally important, youth, in particular are most affected by these events, and most often the feelings of shame or insecurity, and the perception of not having a safe and supportive environment are carried into their adult lives. Program Demographics: 50% of the consumers are Afro-American, 25% are Latino, 15 % are White, 10% are Mixed Races. 55% of the consumers are unemployed, 30% are employed (FTE/PTE), and 15% receive Supplemental Security Income. Approximately, 85% of the existing consumers reside in residences and 15% are homeless. Consumers Socioeconomics Status: unemployed, low-low, low, and middle income households consisting of single and secondary parents, children, homeless individuals and families, and the aging. Program Geographic: Most of our consumers reside in the below high risk/high need areas within Miami-Dade County4. 33167 - North Miami Beach, Miami Shores 33023 - Hollywood 33129 - Miami 33150 - Miami 33168 - North Miami, Miami Shores 33169 - Miami 33147 - Miami 33025 - Hollywood 33056 - Opa Locka, Carol City, Miami Gardens 33161 - Biscayne Park, Miami Shores, North Miami 33055 - Opa Locka, Carol City, Miami Gardens 33033 - Homestead 33142 - Miami 33216 - Miami 33160 - North Miami Beach 33179 - Miami 33054 - North Miami Beach As family income levels decrease, funds available for food diminish, resulting in nutrient-deficient meals. Locally, Joshua's Heart Foundation distributes “expedited” healthy nutritious groceries to “immediately” meet the household’s needs to encourage the consumers to continue to concentrate on the bigger picture of rebuilding healthy lives and to alleviate child hunger in the Miami-Dade communities. Joshua’s Heart Foundation is faithfully working in the trenches of the urban communities where unemployment, crime, poverty, and homelessness are prevalent, distributing more than 300,000 pounds of food and grocery products such as cheese, eggs, produce, canned and fresh vegetables, cereal, juices, starch (potatoes and rice products) annually through a network of three (3) distribution sites.