Wednesday night, the holiday spirit was in full view as almost 400 people came to TPC Sawgrass to help The Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation pack over 4000 bags of food for kids in need in the greater Jacksonville community.
The event started at 5:30 and all the bags were packed, the trucks were filled and the tables were taken down by 7 pm. Children and their parents were eager to fill the bags with canned ham, corn, green beans, cornbread, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, ravioli, Vienna sausages, cereal, granola bars plus hot chocolate and candy canes for an added holiday treat.
Before the crowds of joyful participants arrived, the Furyk Foundation welcomed CAA, Monique Burr Foundation, JaxCaresFoundation, Power Tee, TMM, Southern Oaks, DuBow Family Foundation, Target, NGCRA and family friends who helped unbox food donated by Conagra, Pepsi Co, Quaker, and Target and purchased through Feeding Northeast FL. Over 70 tables were piled high and stacked deep underneath in preparation for the volunteers arriving in the early evening.
“We started this event eight years ago when my kids were small to provide a way for children to actively help others,” said Tabitha Furyk. “As a supporter of the Blessings in a Backpack program, we were very aware of the rising food insecurity facing students in North Florida. Unfortunately, the numbers of those in need continue to rise every year. The foundation has adopted four schools for whom we provide weekend food bags throughout the year. This event is a way for us to do more and involve the community.”
Children as young as babies in carriers to high school giants came out to help. The lacrosse teams of Bolles, Nease and Ponte Vedra were a key part of the success by moving bags from the tents to the waiting district drivers. Also offering their time was Creekside High Cheerleading squad, the girls’ Triple Threat Basketball Academy and all the families who made time to fill a bag. It was a special night and on Friday the over 4500 children who will have a big bag of holiday food to bring home this weekend will feel cared for.
For more information about the event or to donate to the cause visit www.jimandtabithafurykfoundation.com
