MOBILE SCHOOL PANTRY DELIVERS FOR HUNGRY STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Mobile School Pantry is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization established in 2013 to help alleviate hunger through the provision of nutritious food to children and their families at Title 1 Schools in South Florida.

The Mobile Pantry affords the chance to reach a greater number of schools and families, allowing them to serve those who are unable to access a food pantry in their neighborhoods with little burden for the school.

One in five children in South Florida live in food-insecure households. Mobile School Pantry understands that hunger is a reality facing children and families in our communities and gives families an opportunity to get fresh fruits and vegetables in their neighborhoods with very little burder on schools.

How Mobile School Pantry Works

MSP works with schools to establish a pop up Client Choice pantry on site. Students and their families can access nutritious food items from these pantries with no questions asked. The goal of the school pantry program is to provide not only food but connections to additional services for the family in order to achieve long-term solutions to end hunger and malnutrition.

Children and families are referred to the Pantry by the guidance counselor or social worker at the school. There are two qualifications to participate in the programStudents must be enrolled in a participating school and need a helping hand.

MSP offers a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, and non-perishable food items in a farmer's market-style atmosphere at no charge to families in need of food assistance. The program operates once a month at each school. During this time, they distribute an average of 14,000 pounds of food items and serve 450 to 750 children and families.

How You Can Help

There are a number of ways community members can help MSP end hunger. Financial donations are always welcome.

In addition, MSP accepts anything from cases to truckloads of food and non-food items that are dry-stored, frozen, fruits and vegetables, meat products, or surplus; and for any of the following reasons: surplus or seasonally packaged, cosmetically damaged or code-dated, unlabeled or mislabeled, discontinued or test-market, private-label brands, or under/over-weight items.

MSP welcomes volunteers ages 14 and older. On the day of the pickup, fresh produce and other nutritional goods are sourced from several local partners and are delivered to an outdoor packing location. A limited number of volunteers pack all items. The families are then able to select the items they would like, using reusable bags, helping to lower food waste.

▸ Mobile School Pantry's (MSP) mission is to provide nutritious, healthy grocery items to students and families at low-income schools throughout South Florida. If you know a child or a family that may benefit from their program visit www. mobileschoolpantry.com.

Facial Rejuvenation: Morpheus 8

GYNECOLOGY

• Exams/Preventive Care

• Annual Wellness Exam

• Contraceptions (IUD & Implants)

• Family Planning • Infertility

• Endometriosis • Pelvic Pain

• Abnormal Menstrual Bleeding

• Uterine Fibroids • Menopause Care

• Robotic Hysterectomy/Myomectomy

• Radio Frequency Ablation of Fibroids

• Abnormal Pap Smears

• Cryotherapy • Colposcopy

• LEEP • Ovarian Cyst

• Pelvic & Vaginal Infections

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

• In-Office Hysteroscopy

• Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Urinary Incontinence

• Vaginal Rejuvenation: Forma V

• Anti-Aging Skin Remodeling: Morpheus 8

• Sexual Dysfunction

OBSTETRICS

• Prenatal Car • High-Risk Pregnancy

• Multiple Gestation • Vaginal Deliveries

• Cesarean Sections • Cervical Cerclage

• In-Office 3D, 4D, 5D Ultrasound

• Preeclampsia • Gestational Diabetes

• Cord Blood Banking • Genetic Testing

• In-Office Blood Collection • Tubal Ligation

• Newborn Circumcision • Postpartum Care

March 3

Chillin’ With the Cops

Chill out with your BSO Weston District Crime Prevention Unit at the basketball courts. Join in for a game of hoops with your hometown deputies at the Weston Regional Park Basketball Courts. Enjoy snow cones and tons of fun, too! Parents must attend with their child/teen. Hosted at Weston Regional Park Basketball Courts from 4:00 pm till 6:00 pm. For additional info, contact Deputy Danielle Quinones: Danielle_quinones@sheriff.org.

March 5

Weston World Fest

Weston world fest will celebrate its 8th year running presenting international country booths, global cuisine, and world-level entertainment onstage. This award-winning festival is produced in partnership with the City of Weston. Six-time Best of Weston “Best Culture Event” award recipient. The event theme & booths change every year – no two fests are alike! Noon till 4:00 pm at Weston Regional Park. Scan the QR code for info.

March 4

Broward County Waterway Cleanup

Join your neighbors across Broward County’s largest and longest-running environmental events. The annual event brings volunteers together for one today to celebrate our beautiful environment and remove trash from our community and waterways. There are over 30 locations across the county where you can help make a difference. 9:00 am till 1:00 pm. Scan the QR code to register and select a location. Turn to page 32 for more info.

March 8

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific.

March 10

Moonlight Movie: Aladdin

Enjoy a full-length feature film projected on a giant inflatable screen with family and friends. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Coolers are welcome (no alcohol permitted). This month features Disney’s live-action reimagination of Aladdin. As the story goes, a street rat pursues the princess of Agrabah with the help of his pet monkey and a powerful genie who can grant him three wishes. His primary opponent is a malevolent sorcerer who services as the chief advisor to the Sultan. The movie starts at 7:30 pm at Weston Regional Park. For info, call 954-389-4321.

March 13

LUNANA: A Yak in the Classroom (Dzongkha)

Check out the latest film in Weston’s International Film Festival. This month’s feature is ‘A Yak in the Classroom.’ An aspiring singer living with his grandmother in the capital of Bhutan dreams of getting a visa to relocate to Australia. Presented in Dzongkha with English subtitles. Showtimes are 4:45 pm and 7:30 pm. Shows at the AMC Weston 8, 1338 SW 160th Ave. For info, call 954-389-4321.

March 15

WestonNights Concert Series

Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and arrive early to pick your spot. The event stage is close to Weston Regional Park’s largest playground, which is a plus for those with smaller children. Coolers are welcome. No alcohol or pets permitted. A variety of food trucks will be onsite. This month’s concert features Big Rock Band, covering classics from Aerosmith, The Beatles, The Bee Gees, Peter Gabriel, The Police, Prince, The Rolling Stones, Santana, Tom Petty, ZZ Top, and more! Concert begins at 7:00 pm. For info call 954-389-4321.

MARCH 16-19

St. David Carnival

Bring the whole family to a fantastic carnival. Rides & attractions for all ages. Grab something to eat at the International food court or country store. Free parking. 3900 S. University Dr, Davie. For more info call 954-475-8046 or visit www.saintdavid.org.

March 18

Courage to Fight Gun Violence

AAUW Weston and Mujeres Latinas empowering women will hold a public meeting on Gabby Giffords’ legacy on “Courage to Fight Gun Violence” from 2 – 4 pm at Weston Community Center, 20200 Saddle Club Road, Weston, 33327. All are welcome to attend. For more information, email westonaauw@gmail.com.

March 15

BSO’s

Coffee with a Cop

Stop by Bonjour Weston at 1435 N Park Drive between 8:30 am and 9:30 am to enjoy a cup of coffee and meet your hometown deputies from the Broward Sheriff’s Office Weston District. For additional information, please contact Weston

MARCH 17

St. Patrick’s Day

Celebrated on the 17th of March every year, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most popular days of the year to travel to Dublin. For centuries, the Irish have celebrated the day as both a religious and social holiday. South Florida has become one of the go-to locations to celebrate Saint Patricks day in the United States. So, kiss me if you’re Irish!

March 22

“Between the Covers” Book Club

The WESTON FRIENDS CLUB, "Between The Covers" book club will meet at a member's home at 1:00 pm to discuss the book, "Mademoiselle Chanel" by C. W. Gortner. For more information on this book club or other Weston Friends Club activities, please call Nancy Russo, 954-385-1445 or narusso42@gmail.com.