Eating a nourishing meal is something that many of us take for granted. Did you know that in South Florida, nearly one million people struggle with hunger, one in four children go to bed hungry and one in seven seniors face the choice between paying rent, buying medication or eating a healthy meal?

A critical component of a high-quality life is good health, which starts with eating right. Unfortunately, lack of access to healthy and fresh foods is a very real problem that exists right here in our own backyard.

Lack of food can lead to serious problems. In children, it can lead to behavioral issues and decreased performance in school, as well as immediate and long-term health complications including diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.

For seniors, lack of food and poor nutrition can lead to memory loss and increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and kidney failure. In addition, seniors living on a fixed income are often forced to make the choice between vital medications and groceries.

For the fourth year in a row, Sage Dental is teaming up with Feeding South Florida to help make a difference in the lives of those who struggle to put food on the table. Having collected a combined total of almost a ton of food in past year’s food drives, Sage Dental is now on a mission to collect even more food this year for South Floridians in need. From October 24th through December 8th, Sage Dental will be collecting non-perishable food items at all of its 35 South Florida dental offices. All of the food collected will be donated to Feeding South Florida for distribution within South Florida communities to families and individuals in need, food pantries, youth programs, senior centers and direct service programs.

“We are thrilled to be giving back to our local communities.  We already make people smile by helping them with improved overall oral health and it is further rewarding to help put smiles on faces of families because we are providing food to live” explains Rebecca Longo, Vice President of Marketing.

Together with Feeding South Florida and sponsors WSVN-TV (FOX 7), WPBF-TV(ABC 25),  Alpha Media (WRMF-FM 97.9, WMBX-FM 102.3, WIRK-FM 103.1, WEAT 107.9, BEATZ 96.3, WFTL 850, WMEN 640), Sports & Activities Directories, COX Radio Miami (WFEZ Easy 93.1, WFLC HITS 97.3), Treasure Coast Newspaper/TCPalm.com, Ocean Media Solutions, Valpak, Palm Beach Post Newspaper/ PalmBeachPost.com, MoneySaver Coupons, Refresh Local, and YOU, Sage Dental wants to help end hunger in the South Florida community.

To learn how you can help, visit http://www.mysagedental.com/feeding-south-florida/.

If you would like to make a monetary donation or volunteer your time, please visit FeedingSouthFlorida.org.