FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gregory Hoggatt (407) 246-2135
James McDonald (407) 246-2403

TRI-COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES UNITES TO SUPPORT HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIMS AND ENSURE PREPAREDNESS THROUGHOUT STORM SEASON

Cities from Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties
Host Food Drive For Second Harvest Food Bank
to Restock Central Florida Shelves

Date: Friday, September 16, 2005

Time: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Location: T.D. Waterhouse Arena-600 W. Amelia Street
Orlando City Hall-Parking at the S.E. corner of Orange Avenue and South Street


In a coordinated effort to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina, on Friday, September 16, 2005, government leaders from cities in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties will host a Tri-County Food Drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Last week, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer called a summit of the Tri-County League of Cities to strategize how the Central Florida region could come together in a united front to determine regional resources for Hurricane Katrina victims. Additionally, the group of more than 25 leaders discussed emergency preparedness initiatives to serve and protect the citizens and visitors in the Tri-County area.

“One of the immediate needs addressed was to restock the shelves of local food banks in Central Florida to service Hurricane Katrina victims that evacuate to our region,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “Also, we must restock our local resources here as we are in the height of hurricane season, to remain prepared for our citizens in the event of an emergency situation.”

The City of Orlando will establish two drop-off locations in the city. The south parking lot of the T.D. Waterhouse Arena off of Livingston Street will be one drop-off location, and the parking lot across from Orlando City Hall on the S.E. corner of Orange Avenue and South Street will be the second.

Citizens who wish to donate food are asked to donate non-perishable food items. Specifically, the Second Harvest Food Bank has asked for the following items:

1. Breakfast/nutritional bars
2. Meal replacement drinks
3. Canned meats, such as tuna fish
4. Cereal
5. Shelf milk
6. 100% fruit juice
7. Baby items, such as diapers, wipes, bottles, etc.
8. Personal hygiene items, such as feminine products
9. Paper products, such as paper plates, plastic forks, etc.

The Second Harvest Food Bank will not accept perishable food items. Also, they ask that people avoid donating items in glass containers. If people wish to donate money, cash and checks will be accepted. All checks must be made out to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a private, nonprofit organization that collects, stores, and distributes donated food to more than 450 nonprofit partner agencies in Central Florida. Second Harvest of Central Florida is part of a coordinated national disaster relief system through affiliation with America’s Second Harvest, the Nation’s Food Bank Network.

For more information and local drop-off food donation locations, please log on to the City of Orlando’s website at www.cityoforlando.net, and for further details on the Second Harvest Food Bank, visit their website at www.foodbankcentralflorida.org.

The best media window for interviews and video opportunities will be from 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. At that time, Mayor Dyer will be in the parking lot across from City Hall assisting officials with the police and fire departments, the Second Harvest Food Bank, and citizens of the community collecting food.

If citizens have any questions, they can contact Gregory Hoggatt at (407) 246-2135.

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