July 20, 2017

Summer Food 2017 Set to Break Records!

Author: Santos Maldonado

Our summer food program is off to a hot start with 93 locations in six counties participating between May 30^th and July 7th. In the first week alone, 25,723 breakfasts, lunches and snacks were served.

As of July 7^th, the program’s 5^th week and halfway point, approximately 125,000 total meals were served to an estimated 3,500 kids.

At the current rate, we will reach our goal of 200,000 meals well before the program ends on August 11^th.

Our growth has been dramatic but what’s even more remarkable is the improvement in the quality of meals and the innovative delivery methods we use to cover the large geographic footprint that comprises our service area. Read More …

April 15, 2017

Over 400 Individuals Helped at Senior Mobile Food Drop

Author: Erin Gray

On April 3^rd the Table 60 Group, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Iglesia Bautista El Camino hosted their second Senior Mobile Food Drop in the Old Baldwin Park area.

One of Second Harvest’s Partner Agency, Iglesia Bautista “El Camino”,  generously offered to host the drop to the seniors. When the Second Harvest staff members arrived to help at the drop we were pleasantly surprised at how many volunteers Iglesia Bautista El Camino had come to help distribute food throughout the day. Read More …

December 7, 2016

A Call From Barbara

Author: Sasha Hausman

Last week we had the pleasure of spending the day at the WESH studios for Giving Tuesday. The generous folks at WESH decided to hold an all-day telethon to raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank. I spent my day doing on camera interviews, answering phones and taking down donation information from generous neighbors and collecting the slips so we could keep track of the money coming in.

Around 1 pm, WESH reporter, Amanda Ober, answered the phone cheerfully “WESH 2 Share Your Christmas Telethon!” as she did about 20 times before. She then called over to me saying, “Sasha, this call is for you”. I was thinking it was a kind family member that wanted to make a donation and say some sweet things about seeing me on TV. Instead, I was surprised to meet Barbara.

Barbara quickly told me that I didn’t know her but she had been watching me on TV. She finally gained the courage to pick up the phone and make this call. She let me know that she is 80 years old and living alone in Winter Park. She just got over pneumonia and was feeling very weak. Bottom line…she was hungry, with nothing in her pantry and no car or family to get her to food. Read More …

September 22, 2016

Second Harvest’s Partner Agency Council

Author: Erin Gray

A little over 3 years ago, Second Harvest Food Bank created a Partner Agency Council.

The purpose of the Council was to have a key group of partner agencies meet monthly, and be able to think strategically about things happening in the food bank and related to the other partner agencies.

Early on, we consulted our partner agencies for advice on the design of our new facility and got such good ideas that we wanted to expand it to all aspects of our operations!

We started with a group of 12 agencies that represented all 6 counties that we serve, and currently have over 20 partner agencies from all 6 counties. Our agency members vary considerably – they are large and small, paid staff and volunteers. They include food pantries, soup kitchens, residential programs, and school pantries. We seek a variety of agencies so that they can represent the network as a whole. Read More …

June 8, 2016

Meet the New Agency Relations Coordinators

Author: Erin Gray

Last week, the Agency Relations Department welcomed two new additions to the Second Harvest team. They are both very excited to be jumping on board with the food bank and can’t wait to get started. They will each be reaching out their Partner Agencies to introduce themselves to form more relationships into our community, and we know they will do great!

Patti DeLaCruz has worked in the non-profit world for over 20 years and is excited to continue sharing her passion for giving back to the community. She has lived in the Central Florida area for over 35 years and currently lives in Volusia County. She has been married for over 30 years, has 3 adult children, and is a proud grandma to her twin grandsons! Read More …

April 28, 2016

Farewell from Paula

Author: Guest Blogger

I’ve had the opportunity and privilege of working with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida (SHFB) for six years. I can still remember my interview with Erin and thinking how mammoth our warehouse was at the Brengle location. I was blown away with the food bank then and I continue to be amazed not only by what we do but what you our agencies do every day.

I have seen pantries grow from a few shelves to the size of classrooms. Stats increase from 20 families a month to over 200. It has been my greatest honor to assist you, our partner agencies, in that growth.

I feel so lucky to have worked with the best of the best in Central Florida! Every single person has had an effect on me; I can only hope that I have impacted you in a positive way. From the staff at SHFB (including Volusia and Brevard Branches) to every volunteer at our agencies, you have helped save a life from a few moments of pain and brought more than just a smile to their face, you have brought hope. Read More …