The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys’ Upper Keys Advisory Council has awarded a total of $10,000 to help local food banks that have been experiencing increased demand:

• $4,000 to Burton Memorial United Methodist Church, in Tavernier
• $3,000 to First Baptist Church, in Islamorada
• $3,000 to St. Justin Martyr Church, in Key Largo

According to 2020 Feeding America research, Monroe County ranks #27 out of 6,285 U.S. counties for highest food cost. The total shortfall in the Keys exceeds $6.4 million annually. The data shows that in the Florida Keys, 15.9% of all children, 25% of black persons and 11% of Hispanic persons (any race) are food insecure.

“More people are going hungry due to recent inflation,” said Upper Keys Advisory Council chair Isis Wright, who knows food prices well as the proprietor of the Italian Food Company restaurants in Key Largo and Islamorada. “We knew that giving funds to our food banks, especially at the holidays, would have the greatest impact for our neighbors in need including children and the elderly.”

All grants are made possible by donors to the Community Foundation’s Upper Keys Future Fund. Contributions to the Upper Keys Future Fund are currently being matched dollar-for-dollar by the Community Foundation. Learn more at cffk.org/upperkeys.