Yoko Ono Lennon has kindly authorized the use of the John Lennon self-portrait image to help the Florida Association of Food Banks in their ongoing fight to end hunger in the state of Florida.

The "Imagine" specialty license plate is available at all Florida Tag Offices.

WE HAVE NOW PASSED THE ONE MILLION DOLLARS LANDMARK!

As of May 31, 2009, 40,352 "Imagine" specialty license plates have been sold, raising $1,008,800.00 to fund programs to end hunger in this state. The $25.00 specialty plate fee goes directly to the Florida Association of Food Banks for programs directed at ending hunger in Florida. (www.fafb.org)

Use YOUR imagination - JOIN The Imagine Nation…and HELP! make a difference!

IN THE PAST DECADE, Florida’s population has grown 19.5% while the number of people in poverty has grown 43%. 15.9% of Florida’s children go to bed hungry at night (16.4% of children under 5 years of age). Average number of food insecure children in Florida (2005-2007) is 637,779.

We need your help! At a time when everyone is suffering - the people who need the most help suffer even more. According to the 'Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2005 -- 2007 Report' (May 6, 2009) One in six young children live on the brink of hunger in 26 states in the U.S., including 3.5 million children, ages five and under. The rate of food insecurity in young children is 33 percent higher than in U.S. adults, where one in eight live at risk of hunger.

John Cook, Ph.D., of the Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, a nationally-recognized expert on child hunger, who conducted the analysis, states: “The first three years of life are the most critical period of brain growth and development. Child hunger causes physical and mental impairment that may never be reversed. Child hunger also creates tremendous costs that are completely unavoidable. There is no better investment in a prosperous future than investing in ending childhood hunger.”

“The startling fact that so many very young children in this country do not have adequate nutrition necessary to grow and develop into healthy adults is heartbreaking. It is all the more tragic when one considers that it is also entirely preventable,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. “We know that a child who is hungry and cannot learn; they become a man or woman who cannot earn.”

"Imagine....

         ....there's no hunger" 

"Step up to the plate and HELP! make a difference"

The ‘imagine’ specialty license plate is an official Florida State specialty license plate and can be purchased when you obtain/renew your registration, either online or at your local county ‘Tag’ office . Simply tell them you want to switch to the "IMAGINE"/Food Banks specialty license plate.

If your renewal date is not up yet, you can still get the "Imagine" plate now, by paying an extra fee, without renewing your registration. You will then receive your normal renewal notice at the regular date in the mail.

Imagine specialty plate gift certificate program is now available - all proceeds go to the Florida Association of Food Banks for programs directed at ending hunger in Florida. Click here for more information.

• To locate your nearest Tag Office, click here.
• You can Order Online, Click Here -  Please note: this is a direct link to DHSMV and you will need your official renewal notice password to access
• Click Here to download Imagine Plate purchase form.
  (to order at your local tag agency)

The Florida Association of Food Banks (FAFB) was established in January 1993 and is a 501c(3) charitable organization, committed to making sure that families that need food can get it in a dignified manner and in a way that serves as a real safety net for those who fall on difficult times.

The FAFB's sixteen member food banks serve all 67 counties in the state of Florida. FAFB is affiliated with Feeding America the nation's leading hunger-relief organization, which has a nationally recognized food distribution system and has 200 member food banks throughout the country. Food banks provide food to other community based agencies that directly provide food to men, women and children facing hunger. More than 9 million children are estimated to be served by Feeding America, over 2 million of which are ages 5 and under. 1 in 8 Americans is struggling with hunger.

"Let's all work together to make a world without hunger as soon as humanly possible. We owe this battle to our children." Yoko Ono

If you have access to a retail location to display the "Imagine" promotional posters and flyers, please contact us with details and we'll gladly arrange for direct delivery of the promotional items.