There are many children in South Florida whose only meal most days is the lunch they get at school.
When schools closed last spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it created a crisis for struggling families. That’s when FLIPANY, a Fort Lauderdale-based charity, began devoting nearly all its resources to distributing meals.
“As school and business closures began to rock South Florida, the hunger-stricken community began to suffer more than ever,” says FLIPANY founder, president and CEO Lynne Kunins. “The uncertain timeline and increased pressure to shelter in place meant families were forced out of work and income. Those who were already enrolled in federal food programs took an extensive hit to their income and livelihood.”
FLIPANY has worked tirelessly to deliver 1.2 million meals to more than 70 distribution sites across South Florida during the pandemic. Though schools have since reopened and there are fewer food distribution sites, Kunins says, “We strongly anticipate an increased need for our services as this pandemic continues.”
Kunins started FLIPANY, an acronym for Florida Introduces Physical Activity and Nutrition to Youth, in 2005 to fight childhood obesity and hunger in underserved communities through education, physical activities and wellness initiatives.
FLIPANY provides nutrition and cooking classes, activities such as soccer and biking, and after-school and summer meal programs to more than 400 nonprofit partners in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. “Everyone we work with is active in our communities and calls South Florida home,” says Kunins, who lives in Sunrise.
Since the pandemic, FLIPANY’s education and physical activity programs have become virtual. Its fundraising efforts now are focused on digital programming and COVID-19 emergency food distribution and related expenses.
“COVID-19 has had a lasting impact on FLIPANY and the ways in which we operate and deliver services,” says Kunins, who is committed to expanding FLIPANY’s outreach by 30 percent over the next two years. “The impact we have been able to make is astounding. Our programming has blossomed into a fierce force in the fight for health equity.”
Kunins says that one in four children in South Florida will go to bed hungry because of the pandemic. “Our mission is not complete until every child has the fair and equal chance to live their healthiest life.”
Visit flipany.org or call 954-354-7269.
