PENSACOLA, Fla. ( WKRG ) — A Pensacola businessman and philanthropist announced a $200,000 donation to a food bank.
Shawn Esfahani, founder of the Shawn Esfahani Foundation — an organization with the focus of financially supporting communities in need — hosted the “Souper Bowl of Caring” food drive in Pensacola on Monday, Feb. 5.
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During the charity event, Esfahani said he encountered the Marketing and Events Manager for Manna Food Pantry — a food pantry aimed at helping feed those in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties — Melissa Branton.
“I was on my way to the bathroom and suddenly this young lady [Branton] with the most beautiful smile introduces herself and asks me to donate a can of food to the food drive,” Esfahani remembered.
According to Esfahani, he did not have a can of food and was put in an “awkward position” being the sponsor of the event. Instead of donating a can, Esfahani said he would donate $50,000 to the food pantry along with an additional $150,000 over 10 years.