Six years ago at our family dinner table, our son (who was then 4 years old) asked us why we had food while others didn’t.  Jason and I told him that we were blessed to have a job with our family photography business and we used the money we earned from that to buy food for our family.  Our son then asked if we could use our business to help other people who didn’t have food.  We never want to take our blessings for granted, and with the idea from our son we started our annual Jason Angelini Photography food drive.

People who participate in our food drive are able to get a mini session and the pictures are perfect to use on holiday cards!  We also collect donations from anyone who is willing to give.  We’re thankful to have food items and gift cards from neighbors, friends, and our wedding couples who live out of town and can’t do a session but still want to contribute.  Our kids are so excited to see how much food we can collect for the poor before Thanksgiving!

This year we wanted to simplify the food drive.  Rather than having an auction with bids on how much food you will donate, we are counting on people to give all that they can.  Anyone who donates at least a $40 Publix gift card or brings at least 75 food items (cans, boxes, or plastic jars only please!  No packets, pouches, bags, or glass) will get a 15 minute mini session for up to 4 people at a park in Riverview on November 16th.  Five digital images will be delivered via email after the session.  If you have more than 4 people, we ask that you donate an additional $20 on your Publix gift card.  Also, if you’d like a little more time so you could get a few more pictures, every additional $25 on a gift card or 40 food items will extend your mini session by 10 minutes and you will have 3-5 more digital images emailed to you.  We will have a holiday scene and props if you choose to use them (you’ll have beautiful images to use on your holiday cards!) or it can be any type of mini session you’d like:  pets, anniversary, maternity, or whatever else you’d like.

We will have time slots throughout the day on the 16th and people can email us (jasonangelini@aol.com) to schedule their mini session until all the time slots are filled.  Bring your $40 gift card or 75 food items the day of the session, or even better bring more!  Clean out your pantry, take advantage of the buy 1 get 1 deals, or collect food in your own neighborhood to drop off to us.  In the past five years, with your help, we’ve donated almost 4600 food items to our local food pantry.  The need is great and we can do more together than we can do as individuals.  Please spread the word, donate, and help make our food drive a success!  Email us at jasonangelini@aol.com to find out what time slots are available and book your mini session!