500 Moms: Combating Food Insecurity in Flagler County

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500 Moms: Combating Food Insecurity in Flagler County

Local Initiative Aims to Nourish Students and Families in Need

In Flagler County, a dedicated group known as 500 Moms is making significant strides to address food insecurity among students and families.

Founded by Marie McCormick, a nurse practitioner from Palm Coast, the organization emerged from a simple act of kindness.

McCormick's friend, Nina deBodisco, a teacher at Bunnell Elementary School, highlighted the plight of students arriving at school hungry, often missing breakfast and lacking snacks.

Recognizing the broader need, McCormick and her friends established 500 Moms, focusing on three key initiatives:

Breakfast After the Bell: This program ensures that students who arrive late can still access breakfast items, allowing them to start their day nourished.

Classroom Snack Bins: Each classroom is equipped with bins containing approximately 80 snacks, tailored to students' preferences based on surveys.

Mom's Meals: Set to launch in March, this initiative provides kits of non-perishable items with easy-to-follow recipes, enabling families to prepare meals feeding four to six people.

Currently, Bunnell Elementary serves as the pilot school for these programs, with plans to expand to other elementary schools in the county.

The need is pressing; according to the Florida Department of Health, approximately 11,447 residents, or 7.4% of Flagler County households, receive SNAP benefits.

To sustain and grow their efforts, 500 Moms seeks community support.

The name reflects their goal: if 500 individuals commit to donating $20 monthly, the organization can maintain and expand its programs.

Donors receive a personalized wooden spoon, symbolizing their role as a "spoon"—a safe person students can turn to when in need.

As McCormick emphasizes, "We want the kids to know if someone says that 'I'm a spoon,' that's your safe place, that's your person who's going to be there to help you."

For more information on volunteering, donating, or becoming a "spoon," visit 500 Moms' official website.