31 years ago, AIDS was devastating the LGBT community in South Florida and today we have one of the highest new infection rates in the country. Father Bill Collins (a Franciscan priest) had a vision and plan to help people with AIDS who had no or limited access to food. Recognizing that many local people with AIDS did not have the resources or the physical strength to acquire healthy groceries for meals, Father Bill mobilized a group of volunteers and started a food pantry. Poverello was founded in 1987. Father Bill’s founding effort continues today, as The Poverello Center continues to help the poor and sick within our community to “eat well.”  Poverello has expanded our mission to include clients with diverse Critical/Chronic illnesses. Poverello continues to serve 23,000 weeks of groceries per year to those with HIV in our community. While we now serve program participants with Cardiac and kidney problems, Diabetes (and pre-Diabetes), glycemic disorders, Cancer, and many other serious illnesses, there’s still much work to be done among those with HIV. Poverello wants to ensure anyone low income with illness and food insecurity has access to healthy food and other essential life services. The Poverello Center provides support to more than 1500 people and families each month.

Last May, Father Bill passed away. On March 6, Father Bill would be celebrating his 87^th birthday. Although he is no longer with us, his legacy endures through the work of Poverello and there’s much more to do. Those of us who knew Father Bill remember his compassion for all people, and his determination to help others. Never content that enough was being done to minister to people living with AIDS, Father Bill thought we all could do more to help those in our community who were suffering.

Please consider a gift to The Poverello Center in honor of Father Bill’s birthday on March 6. Gifts of any amount enable Poverello to continue our work to feed those in need of healthy food. Please be as generous as possible.

You can make your gift online through the Poverello website or mail a check to: Poverello Annual Fund at 2056 Dixie Highway Wilton Manors, FL 33305.

Thank you for your support of Poverello. We could not fulfill our important mission without the efforts of our dedicated volunteers and the donations from those who support our work.

Sincerely,

Tom Pietrogallo

CEO, The Poverello Center

Poverello’s Mission: The Poverello Center provides nutritious food, services and basic living essentials with the highest degree of understanding, respect and love for individuals living with critical and chronic illnesses Including HIV, in South Florida.