In 1991, Arnold P. Abbott created LOVE THY NEIGHBOR FUND, INC. as a loving, living tribute to his late wife Maureen, to continue the work they had long done together, but on a larger scale.Its purpose has always been to recycle and preserve the integrity of our most precious natural resource: human beings -- namely Broward County's more than 6000 homeless men, women, and children --helping them to help themselves.

The LOVE THY NEIGHBOR FUND is actually based on two very simple concepts: "We are our brother's keeper" and "Love thy neighbor as you love yourself." But, the ways we help are anything but simple.

First off, L.T.N. began with open feedings of hot meals -- not merely reheated cans of Chef Boyardee, but carefully prepared-from-scratch, nutritionally balanced meals of fresh meats, poultry, fish, fruits, vegetables, grains, pasta, cheeses, and sauces, always served with bread, rolls, pastries, coffee, soda, and juices.

For those homeless and working-poor gathered at Fort Lauderdale's south beach and at "Tent City," which was then Fort Lauderdale's one and only "Safe Zone" -- located on the block between City Hall and the Central Bus Terminal in the very heart of the city --we prepared and served an average of 1100 meals a week, more than 60,000 meals a year, more than 600,000 meals accumulatively. In addition, we organized and supplied prepared food and/or cooking materials to 16 other groups, so that, rain or shine, two meals a day were served, each and every day.

Next, we started distributing what has amounted to countless-thousands of shoes and blankets. (We purchased the first cots for the camp, so the occupants wouldn't have to sleep on cardboard boxes and newspaper.) We also put together "survival backpacks" containing many of things that most all of us take for granted. Things like a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, a comb, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, talcum powder, Q-tips, bars of soap, washcloths, Band Aids, and even some laundry detergent to wash what little clothing they have. (Very often, it's these seemingly insignificant little things that can have the greatest of positive effects, by restoring someone's self esteem and human dignity.)

Now, most important, L.T.N. has evolved into not just being a feeding program, but has actually become several-programs-in-one with benefits of a much longer duration: getting people back on their feet and keeping them there. Sometimes it is with the easier things, like helping them replace lost identification cards and licenses. (Which isn't quite as easy as you might think, particularly when you don't have enough ID to get your missing ID.) Other things take a lot more work.