When the Florida Panthers take the ice at Amerant Bank Arena on Wednesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, they’ll be aiming to score more than just goals. They’re also seeking to cross-check food insecurity in South Florida.
The defending Stanley Cup champions have partnered with a Florida-based health insurance company and an area nonprofit to help feed hungry residents in the region. Billed as “Goals for Food,” the partnership between the NHL team and Florida Blue contributes 650 meals for every goal scored by a Panthers player at home during the regular season.
The Panthers have been partners with Harvest Drive, a South Florida nonprofit, for years, but they only began tying their performance on the ice to food donations last season during their run to their first-ever Stanley Cup crown. The team scored 168 goals at home during the 2023-24 season, amounting to 109,200 meals, and have totaled 40 so far this season, which is 26,000 meals and counting.
The partnership is a win-win for both the team and the community, with the Panthers using their platform to make a difference in the lives of those struggling with food insecurity. “It’s amazing,” said Harvest Drive founder Renee Herman. “There’s just no words to tell you how great it’s been going.”
The team is joining a growing list of NHL organizations doing their part to help feed the hungry this Thanksgiving. Players from the Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators recently distributed turkeys to local families in need, while the Buffalo Sabres provided vouchers for future game tickets in exchange for turkey donations during an area food drive.
The Panthers’ efforts are a reminder that food insecurity is a 12-month issue, and it’s up to organizations like Harvest Drive and the Florida Panthers to make a difference. As John Colombo, vice president of the Florida Panthers Foundation, said, “Hunger is a 12-month thing.”
