Florida Panthers Distribute Thanksgiving Meals to Nearly 350 Families in Need Initiative Supported by Publix Super Markets

SUNRISE, Fla. – On Tuesday, Nov. 25 the staff of Sunrise Sports & Entertainment and members of the Florida Panthers distributed nearly 350 meals to families in need at the Cooperative Feeding Program in Fort Lauderdale. Eligible families received a box of food containing such Thanksgiving staples as stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy and a turkey courtesy of the Florida Panthers and Publix Super Markets.
 
The Panthers were able to donate over 600 turkeys to the Cooperative Feeding Program. Florida Panthers players, coaches and employees donated funds to purchase 300 turkeys, and these donations were personally matched by Florida Panthers Foundation Chairman Stu Siegel to bring the total to over 600 turkeys.
 
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“Due to the overwhelming amount of food collected at our food drive at the BankAtlantic Center, I am proud to say that we were able to help nearly 350 families have a memorable Thanksgiving holiday,” said Florida Panthers Foundation Chairman Stu Siegel. “I would like to thank the Florida Panthers wives/girlfriends for volunteering their time and Publix Super Markets for their invaluable support. On the heels of our food drive, I am looking forward to a successful toy drive and I encourage our fans to donate toys to underprivileged children this holiday season.”
 
During Florida Panthers home games through Nov. 24, fans had an opportunity to donate food items for the ‘Panthers Day of Sharing’ at the Cooperative Feeding Program on Nov. 25.  The entire staff of Sunrise Sports & Entertainment, select Panthers players and their wives/girlfriends then volunteered at the Cooperative Feeding Program on Tuesday, Nov. 25 and helped serve food, unload trucks, stock the pantries, clean the kitchen, and make Thanksgiving boxes for families in need. Even Stanley C. Panther got into the act, as he kept everyone entertained and smiling during the day.
 
The Florida Panthers will next host several Toys for Tots toy drives at the BankAtlantic Center. On Dec. 4, 6 & 21 the Florida Panthers wives will join the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to collect new, unwrapped toys for children in need this holiday season.
 
For more information about the Panthers Foundation please contact Terri Crolic at (954) 835-7715 or crolict@sselive.com.
 
Sunrise Sports & Entertainment is the premier company of its kind in South Florida. Home to more than 185 events annually and the Florida Panthers Hockey Club, the BankAtlantic Center is consistently a top 15 worldwide venue according to Pollstar. The BankAtlantic Center welcomes more than two million guests each year and is also the home of Sawgrass Live presented by BankAtlantic and three publications Unrestricted (South Florida & New York) and Panthers Insider.