November 23, 2011

Someone like me?

Author: Dave Krepcho

It was the week before Thanksgiving, and one of our staff at Second Harvest Food Bank opened his email inbox and recognized the name of one of the senders as a personal acquaintance he hadn’t seen in a few years. He recalled Wanda as a very successful and talented real estate agent, and was pleased to hear from her.

Upon opening the message, however, it immediately became clear that the message wasn’t just a friendly hello. Wanda related that she and her teenage son had been struggling with tough financial times for a couple of years. She told of how she had been making more than $80,000 a year in commissions prior to the crash in home sales, and since had been getting by on just over a quarter of that amount per year in income.

She had burned through her savings, and admitted that one of them had been forced to skip meals recently due to lack of money. “And I can tell you it wasn’t my son…” she wrote. “I never imagined I’d need to ask for help, but would someone like me qualify for help with food?”

Wanda was referred to one of the more than 500 local nonprofit feeding programs that receive food from Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to help her family get through the tough time. In a nation and community that is as wealthy in food resources as ours, Second Harvest Food Bank is committed to the idea that among all the things that struggling families have to overcome … hunger should not be on the list.

As you take stock of your personal situation this year, please don’t forget about the families who need help with food…. So many find themselves walking through the doors of a feeding program for the first time. Many who felt secure just one year ago are now struggling to feed themselves and their families.

Won’t you help us create hope for them right away? We appreciate any help you can give. Thank you again for your continued support of Second Harvest.

Sincerely,
Dave Krepcho
President/CEO
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

November 1, 2011

Help unwrap hope this holiday season …

Author: Sasha Hausman

No matter what you celebrate, I think we can all agree that the holiday season is a special time. It’s a time when we let the people closest to us know how much they mean to us. Whether it is a family member exchanging a gift, or getting a chocolate shaped snowman from a co-worker … it is hard not to appreciate this special season.

Unfortunately not all of us think of the holidays as the most wonderful time of the year. 1 in 5 of our neighbors here in Central Florida might not know where their next meal is coming from. But luckily there is an easy way to help that might save you a couple steps during your holiday shopping.

For a gift of only $5 (or more if you wish) per card, we will share your holiday greetings with friends, family, and colleagues, letting them know that you have made a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida on their behalf. The card will be personalized with your name or company inside and then mailed out from our office for your convenience. Read More …

October 13, 2011

Not the Brady Bunch …

Author: Greg Higgerson

Christina is a native of Maine, and a 40-year old mother of three children. After working for years as an LPN nurse in her hometown, Christina and her family packed up, left their apartment, and moved to Orlando.  

Her husband had gotten a new job in our area as the driver of an 18-wheeler, and she had heard about lots of opportunity in healthcare jobs in Florida. In his first week on the new job, Christina’s husband was badly injured in a crash. One of his legs was broken up so badly that he nearly lost it. Not only would he be unable to go back to work quickly, but it became clear that he would likely be permanently disabled from the accident.     Read More …

September 7, 2011

Eating Better is Expensive!

Author: Greg Higgerson

Sandra is a single mother of two who works as a shift manager at a local fast food chain. Earlier this year, Sandra was at work when she felt a strange, racing heart sensation. She didn’t want to go to the doctor.

“That’s for wimps,” she thought.  

She didn’t think of herself as the kind of person that called in sick to work for something like that. Still, the sensation eventually reached a point where she felt nearly ready to pass out one day.    

A doctor at the walk-in clinic told her that her blood pressure was dangerously high, and that she should go to an emergency room. Once at the hospital, another battery of tests showed that Sandra’s potassium and magnesium levels were far too low.   Read More …

May 5, 2011

Second Harvest Receives a visit from Disney’s “Shine On” Prize Patrol

Author: Maria Diestro

On Tuesday, April 19th Second Harvest Food Bank had a very special guest visit our facility. Rumors of two big ears and white gloves spotted in our board room circulated our office emails that morning. By 10 am, everyone at Second Harvest had caught a glimpse of Mickey Mouse walking down our hallways.

As part of a 40-day celebration across Central Florida, Disney is shining a spotlight on organizations that improve the lives of children in our community. Mickey made a surprise visit to Second Harvest to recognize and reward our efforts in the work we do to combat childhood hunger. We were lucky to share the stage with Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, New Beginnings and the Hope Foundation. All four organizations received a special gift totaling $120,000.

 Second Harvest received $50,000 from Disney’s Helping Kids Shine Grant! We are so grateful to be one of the beneficiaries of Disney’s generosity. With Disney’s support, we are going to be able to provide hundreds of thousands of meals to kids in need. Read More …