National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is November 15th - 21st. The Homeless Family Center of Vero Beach, Florida has joined numerous communities and cities around the country that will raise awareness about Hunger and Homelessness in our country and local community.

Indian River County Board of County Commissioners will proclaim its support of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week on November 10th at the Board of County Commissioners meeting at 9:00 am. County commissioners encourage the citizens of IRC to continue with our area's legacy of banding together to meet the needs of our communities with awareness, generosity, and determination to find solutions by giving of ourselves to those less fortunate in a way that no government or institution by itself can.

On Monday, November 16, 2009, the Homeless Family Center will have an Open House from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM to see first hand the services provided and residential facilities for homeless families on the Treasure Coast. The center is located at 720 4 th Street in Vero Beach.

On Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM various businesses listed below in Indian River and St. Lucie County will participate in this event allowing volunteers to solicit monetary donations and distribute brochures to benefit the Homeless Family Center:

BankUnited - 2134 58 th Avenue, Vero Beach (Ryanwood Plaza)

BankUnited - 425 21 st Street, Vero Beach (Miracle Mile)

BankUnited - 2503 S. Federal Highway, Ft. Pierce (Sabal Plaza)

BankUnited - 7526 South U.S. Highway 1, Pt. St. Lucie (Prima Vista)

Craving's - 3149 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963

Indian River Mall - 6200 20 th Street, Vero Beach

Marine Bank - 1450 U.S. Highway 1, Vero Beach

Mobil - 400 Old Dixie Highway, Vero Beach (corner Old Dixie and 4 th St.)

Publix - 1451 Sebastian Blvd. Ste 200, Sebastian (Shops of Sebastian)

Publix - 4145 9th Street SW (South Point)

United States Postal Service - 2050 13 th Avenue, Vero Beach (Main Branch)

United States Postal Service - 600 6 th Avenue Ste. 1, Vero Beach (Tropic Branch)

United States Postal Service - 3320 Cardinal Drive, Vero Beach ( Beach Station)

7-Eleven - 1400 Highway A1A, Vero Beach (South)

7-Eleven - 2032 U.S. Highway 1, Vero Beach

On Wednesday, November 18, 2009 from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Classy Cupcakes located at 712 21 st Street in Vero Beach will be selling a special flavor, "Pumpkin Spice" cupcake. Net proceeds will benefit the Homeless Family Center. For every purchase of the pumpkin spice cupcake entitles an entry to win two Twilight New Moon Premiere Night movie tickets to be drawn at 6:00PM. Winner need not be present to win. Call 772-563-0110 and mention Homeless Family Center when placing an order.

On Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 5:30 PM Palm House Gallery & Studio will have a private exhibit to view "Through a Child's Eyes." The eye paintings have been created by homeless children currently living at the Homeless Family Center.

On Thursday, November 19, 2009 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM resort staff of the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa, a Kimpton Hotel will be washing cars to raise money for the Homeless Family Center. The resort is located at 3500 Ocean Drive.

On Friday, November 20, 2009 at 6:00 PM the Twilight Saga: New Moon Movie Premiere at the Majestic Theatre sponsored by Stickhead Lacrosse will benefit the Homeless Family Center. Tickets are $20 each and available at the Majestic Theatre. Tickets include admission, small popcorn, & small soda.

"Canned Art Sculpture Display" and Canned Food Drive - A canned food drive will take place at the Indian River Mall from November 15 - December 16 to benefit the Homeless Family Center. Artists will volunteer their time and talent in creating a " Canned Art Sculpture Display" by building structures from the can donations for the community to view from December 16, 2009 - January 1, 2010.

Indian River County School District will support the National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week by donating a portion of ticket sales from the Vero Beach High School football game on October 30th and passing a bucket to solicit donations at the Sebastian River High School football game on November 6th.

Monies raised from all of the events will benefit the Homeless Family Center and will be matched by a local resident. This anonymous donor supports the mission of the Homeless Family Center and would encourage all residents to participate and invest in this community awareness project.

Tour the Homeless Family Center on November 16th, visit one of the collection sites listed above on November 17th, purchase pumpkin spice cupcakes at Classy Cupcakes on Nov. 18th , stop by Vero Beach Hotel and Spa and have your car washed on Nov. 19th, attend the Twilight: New Moon Premiere Night on November 20th , and donate canned goods to "Canned Art Sculpture Display" November 15th - December 16 th . For more information, call Julia Keenan at 772-567-5537 or visit www.HomelessFamilyCenter.com to support Hunger and Homelessness in the Treasure Coast.