North Miami proclaims Hunger Action Month and highlights city pantry serving about 600 households monthly

Mayor Alex Desilme and the North Miami City Council on Tuesday proclaimed September as Hunger Action Month and used the occasion to spotlight the city’s government-operated food pantry and its partnership with Feeding South Florida. The proclamation accompanied remarks from Councilman Kevin Burns and city staff describing a pantry that began as a biweekly pickup and expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We have 700 people registered, and we are serving 600 people monthly," Albert (director of social services and housing) said during the meeting, according to city remarks. Why it matters: Council members said food security remains a persistent local problem and that the city’s pantry has become a model other municipalities have studied. Councilman Burns noted North Miami opened the first government-run pantry in Florida about eight years ago and that the program expanded to home deliveries during the pandemic. Details and quotes: Davika Ramkinson, director of development at Feeding South Florida, told the council the nonprofit is "the largest hunger relief organization serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties" and that it provides food and services to more than 1.2 million people each year, including "more than 4,000 households right here in North Miami." Burns said the pantry grew from roughly "200, 300 people monthly" at start-up to the current caseload. Discussion versus action: The proclamation is a ceremonial recognition by the council; no formal ordinance or budget vote was tied to the proclamation at the meeting. Council members credited partnerships with the police and parks-and-recreation departments for delivery support during the pandemic. Looking ahead: City staff said the pantry remains active, and council members encouraged residents to use available programs and volunteer or donate to partner organizations.