“Arnold Abbott – Best Civic Activist”
Civic activist may be too soft a description for Arnold Abbott, who has dedicated his time, resources and boundless empathy to feeding the homeless in Broward County since 1991. Abbott is really more of a fighter, a warrior even, who refuses to be knocked down in his mission to help people who are struggling to help themselves.
“No one in a country as well fed as ours should go hungry…”
Arnold Abbott, LTN Founder
Abbott formed the nonprofit, all-volunteer Love Thy Neighbor Fund 15 years ago after the death of his wife Maureen. By his count, he has served more than a half-million meals since then, first at an infamous tent city near City Hall in Fort Lauderdale and then on the beach on Wednesday nights and at Providence Place where he runs his culinary school for the homeless. He set up shop at other sites, as well, and in almost every instance, Abbott has had to plead his case with local officials, sometimes in court, to keep his chow lines open. He does so without anger or animosity but with the righteous beliefs that personal dignity begins with a hot meal and that no one in a country as well fed as ours should go hungry. – as published in City Link Magazine “Best of 2006 ” Issue.