The title sponsor behind the Bahamas Feeding Network’s (BFN) biggest fundraiser, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited is raising the bar when it comes to support – by increasing its pledge to $20,000.
This comes as more major sponsors are also signing up for the December 13 Tee-Off for Hunger golf event, which will be held this year at Royal Blue Golf Club at Baha Mar – with Paradise Games signing up as Diamond sponsors, providing $10,000.
Two more donors have signed up as Platinum sponsors, with a donation of $6,000 from Sagoma Construction International and Bronx Concrete Works Limited, taking the overall fundraising total to $86,000 with a target of $100,000.
This is the fifth year of Fidelity’s partnership with Tee-Off For Hunger, which is BFN’s biggest fundraiser each year – and Fidelity wanted to build on its commitment in previous years. The move to increase its sponsorship raises the amount from $15,000 in previous years.
Crestwell Gardiner, chairman of Fidelity’s donation committee, said: “We have seen the good that the Bahamas Feeding Network does, and we have supported Tee-Off for Hunger for five years now – but we also see the need there is in the community so we decided to increase our support this year. The need is real, and there are people going through real hardship, so it is up to us all to help.”
He added: “Fidelity has always believed in building enduring partnerships when it comes to playing our part in civic contributions – so adding more support to a partner we have worked with for five years is important to us. Fidelity is proud to be making a meaningful contribution in the community. The Bahamas Feeding Network makes a real difference to people’s lives, and we are happy to help.”
Last year’s golf tournament raised more than $65,000 from the course alone with additional funds coming from a raffle that included prizes such as a Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska and two nights stay at Four Seasons Ocean Club and Baha Mar. The tournament has raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars since it was first proposed and hosted by BFN director Mario Carey, whose Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate MCR Bahamas supported it for the first four years.
Nicolette Fountain Archer, executive director of BFN, thanked Fidelity and all the sponsors for their support – with more sponsorships still to be announced.
She said: “I cannot thank Fidelity enough. Not only have they signed up to support us again, but they have gone even further than that and added an extra contribution on top. We have worked closely with Fidelity over the years, so the team there see and recognise the need there is, and the hunger that so many families in our country have to endure. They have led the way in supporting us, and we thank them immensely.”
She added: “Each day, more and more sponsors are signing up. We particularly thank Paradise Games for their Diamond sponsorship, and Sagoma Construction International and Bronx Concrete Works Limited for their Platinum sponsorship. We also want to thank our anonymous sponsors who have helped us towards our target – we value your contribution immensely. Every sponsor takes us closer to our fundraising goal of $100,000. For those who want to be a part of it, there is still time – we would welcome your support, but more importantly, your contribution will mean food for those who go without. You can make a difference. However you can help, we are here to make it happen.
Visit our website, www.bahamasfeedingnetwork.org, and contact us if you can support us in any way.””
BFN has served more than five million meals since it was formed in 2013, sharing hot meals, groceries and food vouchers through a network of more than 100 churches, soup kitchens and feeding centres and keeping each partner accountable for distribution. BFN provides food for more than 60,000 meals every month to those in need.
Players are urged to sign up early to ensure a spot. Players can sign up at a cost of $500 for a team of two or $400 for a student team of two. The format is a two-person scramble. Every player will receive a premium golfer swag bag, an after-tournament meal and having the chance to win incredible prizes.
