Local entrepreneur and philanthropist Gale Lemerand has donated a $12,000 matching grant to the Jerry Doliner Food Bank to help feed needy families during the holidays.

The Jewish Federation is asking the community for help to raise the necessary $12,000 in donations to qualify — dollar for dollar – for the matching funds to help families in need for the holiday season this year and in 2018.

Lemerand, chairman and CEO of Stonewood Holdings LLC, which operates Stonewood Tavern & Grill and Peach Valley Cafe restaurants, donated a $10,000 matching grant to the Ormond Beach food bank last year and increased his donation in December 2017 to $12,000.

“We want to thank Mr. Lemerand for increasing his matching funds to $12,000,” said Marvin Miller, president of the Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties, and owner of Miller Real Estate in Ormond Beach. “Mr. Lemerand has a tremendous impact in this community.”

Federation Executive Director Gloria Max said the food bank will provide holiday food baskets to more than 250 local families on Dec. 21, as well as toys for the children.

The food bank helps local residents regardless of race or religion and 98 percent of its clients are not Jewish. One hundred percent of donations to the food bank go directly to provide aid because the Jewish Federation pays all administrative expenses, including salaries and office expenses.

To make your tax-deductible donation, send a check to Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties, 470 Andalusia Ave., Ormond Beach, FL 32174. For questions, call 396-672-0294.