Blogging at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

A Summer of Meals and Hope, Thanks to You

Rachel Whetstone — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 12:34:06 +0000

Thank you for being part of a community that cares enough to ensure kids and families have access to the food resources needed to have a worry-free, hunger-free summer. Your collective efforts made it possible to fight hunger in remarkable ways this summer.

61 Summer Sites

Second Harvest’s Summer Food Service Program hit the road on June 2 to deliver fresh, nutritious meals to kids. The program served children at 61 summer camps, childcare centers, parks and other programs across five Central Florida counties. During the 10-week summer break, 155,247 meals were provided for free to kids ages 18 and under.

New this summer was the rural non-congregate pilot summer feeding program. The traditional model requires meals to be eaten onsite at pre-determined times. The pilot program allowed for meal boxes with seven breakfasts and seven lunches per kid to be picked up weekly during a specific window of time for kids to eat at home.

Feeding partners in Mascotte and Stuckey played a crucial role in fighting childhood hunger this summer, distributing 42,574 meals and serving approximately 500 children each week. Their dedication and support were instrumental to kids and families in rural Lake County.

Over 300,000 Meals a Day

Second Harvest and its 870 feeding partners were out in force this summer to distribute enough food for 300,000 meals daily to kids and families at emergency food pantries, community meal programs and shelters. In addition, 228 mobile food distributions provided fresh produce, meats, dairy and pantry staples to neighbors in food deserts and rural communities across Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties.

Behind the scenes, dedicated food bank volunteers were the unsung heroes of the summer. Your hard work was invaluable, from hosting food drives, to sorting food donations, and preparing meals at Mercy Kitchen. More than 8,500 of you donated over 25,000 hours this summer. Thank you for your selfless contributions!

17 Culinary Training Students Graduated

While most students were out of school, Second Harvest’s Culinary Training Program didn’t miss a beat. Students spent the summer honing their professional and life skills. In June, 17 students graduated and launched their new careers in the food service industry. By investing in workforce education and training, you are transforming lives.

Your kindness and generosity made it possible for kids to have the worry-free summer they deserve. Thanks to your support, , local students and families across Central Florida are entering the new school year filled with hope. Your actions have truly made a difference.

Your support makes an incredible difference

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Lee Found Hope and Stability at a Local Food Pantry

Erika Spence — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 14:08:34 +0000

Lee never expected her world would turn upside down in the blink of an eye.

“Our car unexpectedly died while we were driving it,” she explains, remembering the stress of being inside a stalled car in the middle of a busy highway.

“After losing my vehicle, my job told me that unless I came within a few days, I would just be let go,” Lee remembers.

Without reliable transportation, she lost her job, and her family was in crisis. Like many families who live paycheck to paycheck, Lee’s family was just one emergency away from experiencing hunger.

“It went from being perfectly stable… to everything overnight being different,” says Lee.

Lee applied for unemployment benefits, Medicaid and every other resource she could think of, but she was denied financial assistance.

With two children—10-year-old Christian, who has autism and epilepsy, and 4-year-old Olivia, who has a compromised immune system—Lee faced impossible choices.

“I had to delay important doctor appointments for my child because I couldn’t afford them,” she said. “Choosing between my child’s health and groceries or rent was upsetting to me, because I shouldn’t have to make that choice.”

She and her husband tried everything to make ends meet. He began working six days a week and donating plasma. Lee sold cherished family collectibles and some of her artwork, but it still wasn’t enough. Bills piled up, and their electricity was turned off for a few days.

Lee found a sense of relief when she turned to a food pantry supported by Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida for help keeping food on the table.

“I was happy to find that they had good produce, good proteins, snacks for the kids—and healthier options as well,” she says. “And it’s easy. Everything is laid out. You get to choose what you prefer.

For her children, visiting the pantry became something to look forward to. “They like picking out whatever smells the best or looks the best,” she says with a smile.

“Instead of going without, you’re helping us have the food that we need,” says Lee, expressing her gratitude. Her family has stabilized thanks to the support they found at the food pantry.

“It’s helped us bridge the gap between one paycheck to another,” Lee notes. “We’re no longer two months behind on electric. We’re no longer two months behind on rent or the water bill.”

Things are looking up.

“Because of you, I no longer have to worry about putting food on the table for my kids,” says Lee, adding that now she can focus on finding a new job, enrolling her daughter back into daycare and providing her kids with more opportunities.

Because of you, Lee and her family have hope.

$10 = 40 meals

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Celebrating Outstanding Volunteers

Rachel Whetstone — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 13:58:25 +0000

At the heart of Second Harvest’s success lies the unwavering commitment of its volunteers. Last year, the Central Florida community witnessed an overwhelming display of generosity, as 42,433 volunteers stepped up to provide 127,486 hours of service for neighbors experiencing hunger. Second Harvest’s volunteers’ dedication and selfless service have touched countless lives.

Each year, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida honors and celebrates individual, corporate and special event volunteers. This year, the food bank recognized volunteers who assisted with the Ultimate Garden Party, Taste! Central Florida, Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend, T.G. Lee’s Milk Run 5K and other special projects like the Young Professionals Committee.

In recognition of their outstanding dedication, several volunteers received notable accolades.

Most Inspirational Virtual Food Drive Award

Each year, individuals and companies organize virtual food drives to rally their friends, family, colleagues and community to raise much-needed funds for the fight against hunger.

J.J. Lullen’s passion for fighting hunger is evident not only in everything he does here at the food bank, but also at the organization he manages, Hope Worldwide, an international humanitarian aid organization affiliated with the International Churches of Christ.

His most recent virtual food drive raised enough to provide more than 11,000 meals for neighbors facing hunger.

A dedicated volunteer and leader, J.J. always gets others involved and engaged, whether it is during a regular volunteer shift, or leading a food drive, both physically and virtually, every year for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Andre Reyna Youth Against Hunger Award

Andre Reyna, a young man of exceptional character, made a profound impact during his time at UCF. His commitment to social justice was evident through his regular involvement with the Second Harvest Food Bank and various local causes. Despite financial barriers, Andre believed everyone deserved access to life’s essentials. His memory continues to fuel the determination of his family, friends, and community. In honor of his enduring spirit, we present an annual award to individuals who exemplify the same selflessness and dedication to serving others as Andre did.

This year, the award was presented to Cooper Boris, a young man who took charge of improving operations at Edgewater High School’s School Market with the food bank’s School Partnerships Program.

During the 2024-25 school year, Edgewater High distributed enough food for 10,283 meals. Students, particularly Cooper, the market manager, led much of this work. Under his leadership, the Eagles Market saw more than 14,500 shopping visits this school year and distributed produce to more than 380 households through the Fresh Market program.

Cooper volunteered for at least 120 hours for the School Partnerships Program at his school. He stepped up as the main point of contact, even though that is not the expectation for student volunteers. He handled all aspects of operations, including placing orders, budgeting, hosting site visits, compliance monitoring, and more.

David Pearlman Spirit of Volunteerism Award

Founder and proprietor of the renowned Orlando-based furniture company Kane’s Furniture, Dave Pearlman’s name has become synonymous with his relentless passion for curbing food waste and helping people facing hunger. Few, if any, have shown such unwavering dedication to feeding those facing hunger as Dave Pearlman did. Rising before dawn, he would traverse the city, collecting surplus food from restaurants and distributing it to feeding programs. His commitment extended to serving on the Board of Directors at Second Harvest. While Dave may no longer be with us, Second Harvest recognizes his commitment with an award to a volunteer with the same determined spirit each year.

This past year, Al Delio proved that same dedication.

His presence has a reassuring effect on Second Harvest’s volunteer team, knowing that his flexibility and constant availability are unique.

Al is one of the food bank’s volunteer captains, who are an extension of the operations staff. He routinely supplies invaluable assistance to staff. Beyond typical volunteer captain roles, he has volunteered for greater challenges and bigger responsibilities on his route to clocking more than 5,600 volunteer hours since 2016.

During his time volunteering, he stepped in to run volunteer projects. He has volunteered at special events and offsite projects. He does not just respond to need; he actively seeks out opportunities to be more helpful to the food bank. Often, Al holds off on signing up for volunteer shifts until he sees where the greatest need is and inserts himself there.

If the duty of a volunteer captain is to motivate, encourage, inspire or uplift other volunteers, Al fulfills his duty and then some. He shows up when the going gets tough and stays until the work is done.d feed hope. The most recent concert helped provide over 120,000 meals for kids, families and seniors facing hunger in Central Florida.

Immense Gratitude

The celebration would only be complete with heartfelt thanks to the Volunteer Captains.

These remarkable volunteers step up to the plate, assuming leadership responsibilities and lending a helping hand to fellow volunteers and volunteer groups. They mentor new volunteers, handle pallet jacks with expertise, take charge of projects as needed, and graciously cover for our staff to give them a well-deserved break.

Jerry Hauck and Justin Molloy joined the 50k Club, a small but mighty group of volunteers who provide more than 50,000 meals to kids, families and seniors facing hunger through their volunteerism each year.

Volunteers for special events and community partnerships were also recognized at the event, with special recognition for: Ryan Grail, former chair with the Young Professionals Committee; Donna Rowe, with runDisney; Danielle Lajeunesse and Andrea Patenaude, with the Taste! Central Florida committee; and Andrea Patenaude and Daniel Betancourt, with the Ultimate Garden Party committee.

Thank you, volunteers. Whether mentioned above or not, each of you plays an integral role in fighting hunger and feeding hope. Your dedication and selfless service make an incredible difference in the lives of your neighbors. Together, we can create a world where no one experiences hunger.

Every Volunteer Makes an Impact.

New Mobile Market Hits the Road in Volusia County

Erika Spence — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 20:56:09 +0000

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida recently unveiled a new Mobile Farmers Market in conjunction with the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County.

The Mobile Farmers Market initially aims to increase access to fresh produce for adults with hypertension. Volusia County residents who receive a referral can select fresh fruits and vegetables each week when the specially outfitted refrigerated truck visits Department of Health locations in Daytona Beach or Orange City.

When the truck hit the road this summer, participants raved about how fresh the produce is. Another common theme was appreciation for fresh fruit because it is too expensive to afford, along with medications and other essentials.

The Mobile Farmers Market joins Second Harvest’s Food is Medicine programming. Your support of these initiatives allows the Food Bank to increase access to nutritious foods, establish partnerships with healthcare practitioners and provide nutrition education to help improve the health and wellbeing of neighbors facing food insecurity.

You create access to fresh produce for neighbors facing hunger.

$10 = 40 meals

Give today

You are feeding futures, one student at a time

Erika Spence — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 21:00:08 +0000

At College Park Elementary School in Ocala, the Hungry Husky school market is transforming the lives of students and their families, thanks to generous support from people like you.

The on-campus food pantry provides food for students and families to take home, helping combat the alarming reality that one in six kids in Central Florida faces hunger.

Student council members pack grocery bags with essential items such as cereal, rice, tuna and other nonperishable foods twice weekly. Their efforts go beyond food—they are learning the value of giving back and building a stronger school community. They also host a monthly Fresh Market, where families receive fresh fruits and vegetables, expanding access to nutritious food.

“It’s a really amazing resource for the families,” says Amy, a family engagement coordinator, adding that school attendance and performances improved last school year with the addition of the market.

“Our families work hard to stretch each paycheck, but sometimes it isn’t enough. They are in survival mode, just getting through, and this helps make the family stronger,” says Amy. “It gives them hope that they can get to the next paycheck.”

Your support is feeding futures—one bag, one student, one family at a time.

You support provides nutritious meals for students and families.

$10 = 40 meals

Give today

Melody is Doing What She Loves

Erika Spence — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:49:03 +0000

After repeatedly seeing a social media post for the Culinary Training Program at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Melody finally clicked “Learn More.”

“I told myself, ‘Here is this opportunity. Why not now?'” Melody recalled. She realized she wanted more from her career than just managing a fast-food restaurant.

Your support of workforce training programs is crucial. It enables students like Melody to gain the skills and training they need to turn their dreams into reality.

Melody’s instructors guided her through the essential skills required to succeed in a commercial kitchen. She learned food safety and sanitation, knife skills, and how to make various sauces. Throughout this journey, she also built her composure and confidence.

“It was hard to keep going,” Melody reflected, recalling the challenge of juggling work, parenting three kids, and participating in the program. “Now I’m doing what I love.”

After graduating, Melody secured a position as a line cook at a local theme park. She attributes her success to the comprehensive training she received at Second Harvest, made possible by generous supporters like you.

The Culinary Training Program is transforming lives.

Learn more

You Are Creating Positive Change

Erika Spence — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 20:42:58 +0000

For 17 years, Andrea Patenaude has volunteered countless hours to fight hunger in Central Florida. Her journey began with coworkers and grew to include roles with the WESH 2 News Giving Tuesday Telethon and the planning committees for Ultimate Garden Party and Taste! Central Florida. She’s also brought her family into the effort, volunteering at Second Harvest’s main distribution center.

“I was hooked,” Andrea said. “Helping raise money to feed millions of people made me feel amazing. I love the food bank and everything it stands for, so I do whatever I can.”

Andrea’s commitment is deeply personal. Her husband grew up in a family of 12 that often relied on Second Harvest. His story—from hardship to earning a college degree—fuels her passion for giving back.

“I’ve learned it’s not just about raising money—it’s about getting involved with your time,” Andrea said. “Let’s fight hunger with action. It’s a true blessing to make a difference for our neighbors.”

Whether you volunteer as an individual, with a group, or during special events, your efforts matter. In just a few hours, you can help provide thousands of meals and create lasting change—one act of kindness at a time.

Volunteer opportunities are now available.

You Keep Food and Hope on the Table

Erika Spence — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 20:34:33 +0000

One in seven Central Florida neighbors faces hunger due to underlying issues such as unaffordable housing, low-wage jobs, and rising costs of essentials like food and transportation. Melanie understands the serious impact that soaring prices can have on a family.

When rising costs forced her and her husband to close their family-run business, she sought support from Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and a local feeding partner.

“We needed a little bit of help,” Melanie explained. “We researched local resources, and this is one of the places that came up.”

Thanks to your support, Melanie can visit a food pantry once a week. There, she receives essential items like canned tomatoes, rice, and beans, as well as meat, bread, and fresh produce.

“Coming here definitely helps keep food on our table,” Melanie stated. “I’m able to cook dinner every night for my family.”

Your generosity means that mothers like Melanie have one less worry as they work towards financial stability.

“We hit rock bottom but are slowly climbing out from all the bills and debt from the business failing,” Melanie shared. “You have been a great help to me and my family. Without your support, we would be pretty messed up.”

You support provides nutritious meals for families.

$10 = 40 meals

Give today

Help for Families is Crucial During Summer Months

Rachel Whetstone — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 11:58:49 +0000

Khyona does everything she can to keep her family afloat, but the perpetual stress of being one unexpected expense away from facing homelessness and food insecurity weighs on her.

The Mascotte mother of two earns as much as she can from driving for a meal-delivery service. She recalled driving through an area with many people experiencing homelessness near the roadside, when she stopped to tell another young mom with three children where to go to find help.

“I look at it like that, at any given moment it could be me,” she said through tears.

With an unstable housing situation and barriers to full-time employment for Khyona and her husband, every little bit helps her feed her kids.

She receives SNAP benefits but says they are “not a lot” and don’t cover food costs for the entire month. To help fill in the gaps, she receives food assistance from The Neighborhood Center of South Lake.

“This helps me more,” Khyona said. “It’s keeping us afloat.”

Her kids, ages 6 and 9, attended summer school for most of the summer, but with a pick-up time of 1 p.m., it’s hard for her to work a 9-to-5 job and take care of them. Food from The Neighborhood Center’s summer kids’ take-home kits means one less worry.

“It’s been keeping me where I don’t have to worry about if they’re going to have a snack or not, or if they’re going to have something to eat early in the morning,” Khyona said.

The Groveland food pantry, a feeding partner of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, provides additional food for families with children during the pantry’s regular food distributions along with the usual fresh produce, frozen meat, and bread. The take-home kits contain ten shelf-stable meals and five snacks for the week while the kids are not in school.

“There are fruit cups, mac and cheese, Chef Boyardee, things like that, sometimes shelf-stable milk,” said Trish Kry, CEO of The Neighborhood Center. “It brings more food into the household when it’s needed.”

The demand for food assistance increases during the summer months at the Neighborhood Center and throughout Central Florida at Second Harvest’s feeding partners. Over the summer, kids don’t receive breakfast and lunch at school like they do during the school year, which is an extra financial burden on families.

“The need ramps up in the summer months,” Trish said. “In this area, many people are also no longer fully employed. They work in the service industry, have lower wages, and get sent home early when it’s not busy or if businesses close for vacation. I’ve seen an uptick in multiple new families. There are probably five people who register every day.”

She said 66% of the neighbors served by her organization are working families, and The Neighborhood Center is packing summer take-home kits for about 750 kids every week.

“There’s a lot of worry among our children,” Trish said. “It’s interesting to see how excited they get when the cart goes around and they see the food.

“They’re hungry. You hear things like, ‘Grandma, does this mean we get to eat tonight?’ The statements you hear, they break you. Parents will tell you the fighting in their house stopped because everyone gets food.”

Khyona said her kids like the fruit cups and get excited about the cookies and cereal in take-home bags.

“They just like food,” she said. “They love to eat.”

She works hard to ensure her kids have what they need but cannot seem to get ahead.

The money she makes delivering meals must pay for their hotel room right now, as the house where they live with a relative is currently under repair. Her husband has his barriers, finding work with health challenges and needing a new government-issued ID, for which they have not had the extra money to cover the fees.

The housing situation is not always stable, even when they can stay with family.

“The house we live in, it’s not my home,” Khyona explained. “At any moment, he can tell us to get out, and if he does that, we have to go stay in a hotel. He did it last year, and we had to get out, and luckily I had been driving all day, so I had money to pay.”

The family started working with another local organization to help resolve housing and employment issues.

In the meantime, Khyona is grateful for the support she receives because of people like you.

“The bags from here help,” said Khyona, adding, “Especially when (SNAP) runs out and there’s not enough to get to the end of the month.”

Your support feeds families with meals and hope

Give Today, Fight Summer Hunger

Taste! Central Florida Provides More Than 1 Million Meals for Kids

Erika Spence — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:45:38 +0000

On Saturday, July 12, food lovers and anti-hunger advocates gathered for one of the year’s most anticipated events: Taste! Central Florida. Celebrating its 35th year, the event brought together the area’s most accomplished chefs, brewers, wine purveyors, and spirit vendors. Over 2,000 guests indulged in food, drinks, live music, and games at the Orlando World Center Marriott. The evening showcased incredibly delicious foods and beverages and, most importantly, raised $285,649 to help provide nutritious meals to Central Florida kids facing hunger. These funds will allow Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida to provide more than 1.1 million meals to kids over the next year!

Guests sampled small plates and beverages from over 60 of Central Florida’s most distinguished chefs, restaurants and caterers, including Plate Above Catering, the exclusive caterer of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. In addition, more than 40 premier brewers, distilleries, wine purveyors, and specialty vendors provided refreshing beverages throughout the event.

Beyond the culinary and beverage offerings, attendees enjoyed live music performances, a highly anticipated silent auction and unique games.

Taste! Central Florida would not be possible without the steadfast dedication of the incredible volunteer-led planning committee. Special thanks to committee co-chairs Haley Hitzing, Daniele Lajeunesse, Christina Nguyen, and Nicole Spooner.

Events like Taste! Central Florida would not be possible without the support of sponsors. From financial contributions to in-kind donations, media partners, and over 300 event volunteers, Central Florida’s generosity was on full display to ensure that kids have access to the nutritious meals they need to thrive year-round.

Blogging at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

A Summer of Meals and Hope, Thanks to You

61 Summer Sites

Over 300,000 Meals a Day

17 Culinary Training Students Graduated

Your support makes an incredible difference

Read More Stories of Your Impact

Lee Found Hope and Stability at a Local Food Pantry

Because of you, Lee and her family have hope.

Read More Stories of Your Impact

Celebrating Outstanding Volunteers

Most Inspirational Virtual Food Drive Award

Andre Reyna Youth Against Hunger Award

David Pearlman Spirit of Volunteerism Award

Immense Gratitude

Every Volunteer Makes an Impact.

MORE VOLUNTEER STORIES

New Mobile Market Hits the Road in Volusia County

You create access to fresh produce for neighbors facing hunger.

Read More Stories of Your Impact

You are feeding futures, one student at a time

You support provides nutritious meals for students and families.

Read More Stories of Your Impact

Melody is Doing What She Loves

The Culinary Training Program is transforming lives.

Read More Stories from the Culinary Training Program

You Are Creating Positive Change

Volunteer opportunities are now available.

MORE VOLUNTEER STORIES

You Keep Food and Hope on the Table

You support provides nutritious meals for families.

Read More Stories of Your Impact

Help for Families is Crucial During Summer Months

Your support feeds families with meals and hope

Read More Stories of Your Impact

Taste! Central Florida Provides More Than 1 Million Meals for Kids

Be the first to know when tickets go on sale next year!

Read More Stories of Your Impact