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 …

December 28, 2010

IT’S NOT TOO LATE to create hope for someone …

Author: Dave Krepcho

The following real-life story was related to Second Harvest Food Bank staff by Nora, a volunteer from one of our local emergency food partners just this week…

At our pantry program we recently had enough food on hand to compile some extra boxes of complete meals for some of the families we had seen throughout the year. During this season of the year, we like to do a bit extra for our families. Some have no telephones, so we simply drop by with the food.

One family in particular, a single mother with two children, was not home when we visited. So we left her a note on the door. Later that same day, our phone rang and we heard only sobbing on the other end of the line. The woman we had missed was crying because she had no food. Worse, she was afraid she had missed the opportunity. I promised her that I would drop a complete meal box to her on my way home.

As I arrived in the yard of the house, I could see a few children out in the yard. They seemed to be playing, but instead of toys I saw them holding bowls and spoons. I asked for the woman I had spoken with by name, and one little girl said “That’s my mommy!”

The little girl’s face was covered with dirt and mud. When I asked what she was doing, the girl replied “Making dinner, because my mommy doesn’t have any food.” Through the welling tears in my eyes, I could see that the girl was actually mixing up mud in a bowl, and had clearly eaten some of it. My mind thought “This can’t be … It just can’t be happening. Not in Orlando, Florida. ” I recalled how similar this scene was to some of those images of third world starvation and hunger that I grew up seeing on television. In MY own community! I left my box with the grateful mother, and quickly headed home, disturbed by what I had seen. Every day that I work in the pantry now, I remember that girl’s face. And you better believe that I work extra hard to make sure these families who turn to us are able to get what they need.

Last year alone, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida provided nearly 500 emergency feeding programs with enough food for more than 17 million meals. Won’t you consider what your special contribution could be today to help provide kids, seniors, and working poor families with the basics of food? Only you can help us to keep the food flowing to those who need it most.

Please don’t wait— people need your help right now. Thank You!

Dave Krepcho
President and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

June 23, 2010

Every Cause Needs A Champion

Author: Sasha Hausman

We would like to introduce you to 11 year-old Abbey Brunault.

Abbey came into the food bank a couple of weeks to show us a video she had created for her class. Abbey’s teacher, Mrs. Patti Gordon, asked her class to learn more about a non-profit. Out of all the wonderful organizations in Central Florida, Abbey ended up choosing Second Harvest Food Bank.

All the information on the video Abbey grabbed from our brochures and website. She created the video on her computer and used pictures she took herself when she and her mom came to volunteer. We are in the process of getting this video on our youtube page. Be sure to check back next week to see the posted video.

In addition to creating this amazing video, Abbey handed us a check for $200 out of her own money. What an amazing individual.

We were all so touched by Abbey’s commitment to fighting hunger that we asked her to speak at our Feeding Hope Breakfast. The title of her speech was Hunger is Unacceptable.

We frequently present examples of kids whose families are struggling with poverty, and who need food assistance.  Today, we’re thrilled to present an example of just the opposite.   

A kid who has received the proper nutrition from birth, been nurtured, and supported by loving parents and teachers.  And look what is possible!   So many kids lack only the nutrition element, and could be so much more.  

That’s one of the primary motivators for staff and board at Second Harvest Food Bank.