MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program distributed 19,423 meals to the South Florida community through a series of distributions from Thursday, Dec. 17 – Wednesday, Dec. 23. In total, the program distributed 45,038 meals during the holiday season in collaboration with Football UNITES™ community partners, local minority-owned restaurants and team partners. The Food Relief Program, led by Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross and Vice Chairman and CEO Tom Garfinkel, is a year-long, multimillion-dollar commitment that addresses record unemployment and food insecurity in the wake of COVID-19.
These initiatives are in addition to the 25,615 Thanksgiving meals distributed through the Food Relief Program in November. To date, the program has distributed 296,861 meals in its continuous effort to impact the South Florida community.
“The Miami Dolphins are committed to addressing long-term critical needs of food insecurity and employment through our Food Relief Program, especially during the holidays,” Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs Jason Jenkins said. “We appreciate the hard work and support of our community and business partners to provide healthy and nutritious meals throughout South Florida during these unprecedented times.”
Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program holiday distribution events included:
- Thursday, Dec. 17: Partnered with HairClub and South Florida Seniors in Action to distribute 1,000 meals catered by local minority-owned restaurants The Licking and Groovin’ Beanto South Florida senior citizens in Miami Beach.
- Saturday, Dec. 19 – Sunday, Dec. 20: The Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program organized the #DolphinsMeals Holiday Weekend Blitz sponsored by Truist in collaboration with 16 local minority-owned restaurants and 15 organizational partners and communities to distribute 6,000 meals across the South Florida tri-county area.
- Tuesday, Dec. 22: In partnership with Centerplate and Sysco South Florida, the Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program joined by Dolphins alumnus Philip Wheeler distributed 6,500 meals to the South Florida community at Hard Rock Stadium. The meals were prepared and catered by Centerplate, the team’s food, beverage and retail partner.
- Wednesday, Dec. 23: The Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program, joined by Dolphins Senior VP of Special Projects & Alumni Relations Nat Moore and alumnus Shawn Wooden, partnered with Miami-Dade County District 8 Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins to distribute 500 meals catered by Ackees Jamaican Cuisine at the South Dade Government Center.
Launched on June 1 by a multi-million-dollar commitment from Stephen Ross, the Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program was created in response to record unemployment and food insecurity brought on by COVID-19. The program provides up to 1,000 meals on weekdays from local minority-owned restaurants and Centerplate, the team’s food, beverage and retail partner, which employs guest services and security staff at the stadium that have been affected as a result of COVID-19 cancellations on a long-term basis. To reinforce these initiatives, Stephen Ross and the Miami Dolphins Foundation announced in September that at least $1 million will go directly towards supporting minority-owned restaurants. Individuals and businesses that wish to participate in the match program can donate online at dolphins.com/meals.
