Operation Fill the Fridge keeps growing

Seeing a need in their Miami Beach community, particularly for families at Fienberg Fisher K-8 School, four women joined forces and created Operation Fill the Fridge.

The families being helped have suffered a layoff or been furloughed, and they are having trouble paying rent and other essential bills as well as buying groceries. Many are single-parent homes.

Founders Mytyl Simancas, Leslie Cooper, Erin Michelle Newberg and Mabel De Beunza quickly mobilized and began seeking individuals to “adopt” a family. That meant committing to providing them food by making regular grocery runs. They reached 100 adopted families quickly, and the initiative keeps growing – with more than 200 families now being served.

Additionally, anyone interested in helping can donate through a GoFundMe fundraising campaign titled, “Fill the Fridge, and BEYOND…” The goal is to raise $100,000.

Donations go toward payment of rent or utility bills, groceries and other necessities.

The foursome express their gratitude on their page saying, “Thank you all, it takes a village and it has been extremely heartwarming in a tragedy like this where we are all affected, to witness the pure compassion and generosity of our community.”

Here are additional food resource articles on our site:

Free food distributions around Miami-Dade County

Free meals for Miami-Dade students