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Published: November 30 2012

PEMBROKE PARK, FL --  Along with the community, Abbot Downing, a Wells Fargo business, and Feeding South Florida™ recently raised $150,000 to benefit hungry children during the summer with their summer matching gift campaign. During the campaign, which ran from July 15, 2012 through Aug. 31, 2012, Abbot Downing challenged the community by pledging to match every dollar raised up to $20,000. Receiving a large amount of donations ranging from $1 to $20,000, Abbot Downing and Feeding South Florida well surpassed their fundraising goal of $40,000 for a total of $150,000.
 
Abbot Downing and Feeding South Florida created the summer matching campaign to help feed South Florida children who depend on their schools’ meal programs, and are at serious risk of going hungry during the summer because cafeteria doors are closed. By stepping up to fill the void for these children during the summer months, Abbot Downing helped to feed them through the commencement of the 2012-2013 school year.    
 
Along with the monetary donation and leading the matching campaign, Abbot Downing team members volunteered at Feeding South Florida’s Palm Beach Distribution Center to sort food that was then distributed to its Palm Beach County partner agencies.
 
“We are overwhelmed by the community’s support for the summer matching gift campaign,” said Feeding South Florida President and CEO Paco Vélez. “The campaign goal was exceeded by nearly $110,000. We are very thankful for Abbot Downing’s and the community’s support in helping to feed South Florida children during the summer.”
 
“Our team members made the decision to donate to Feeding South Florida,” said Matt Robertson, Regional Managing Director for Abbot Downing. “We are grateful to the community for stepping up to the challenge to match and exceed the amount of our donation. We are excited about the campaign’s success and the ability to provide assistance to students and families into the school year.”
 
In South Florida, almost 1 million individuals in need, including more than 340,000 children, are affected by hunger. The overall food insecurity rate in South Florida is 16.9 percent.