On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida hosted the fourth annual Ultimate Garden Party, presented by The Glenda G. Morgan Charitable Foundation, at Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. The event was a tremendous success, raising over $379,000 to combat hunger in Central Florida. This remarkable generosity will provide enough food for more than 1.5 million meals for children, families, and seniors facing food insecurity in the seven-county area. This collective impact is only possible when our community comes together for a common cause.
Event Highlights
Upon arrival, guests were greeted with a touch of magic as champagne welcomed them through a hedge wall.
Twelve amazing vendors showcased their wares in a trunk show and donated 25% of sales back to Second Harvest’s mission! Our heartfelt thanks go to Kendra Scott, Gina Cueto, LOVEthirteen, Lussi Skin, Sonia’s Vokalized Kreations, The Pink Chalet, Jillian Says, Alma Swim Foundation, Petal Honey Co., Vixen by Fox Labs, and Pei & Threads for their generous support!
Guests enjoyed refreshing beverages from Tito’s, Cazadores Tequila, Caz Café, Ivanhoe Park Brewing, and Ten10 Brewing.
All-In Casino kept guests entertained with thrilling casino-style games while Bill Collins, the Chief Operating Officer of Second Harvest Food Bank during the day and an acoustic guitarist at night, filled the Libations Lounge with smooth sounds, creating a delightful atmosphere. Guests also had the opportunity to interact with a fortune teller and a caricature artist.
Throughout the afternoon, local artist Lemus painted a beautiful scene on canvas, capturing the spirit of the Ultimate Garden Party. This completed artwork was later added to the live auction to raise additional funds.
Second Harvest Food Bank Board Member and WESH 2 Anchor Michelle Imperato served as the emcee, joined by WESH 2 Anchor Jesse Pagan! We are incredibly grateful to WESH 2, our media partner, for their ongoing support in informing and engaging the community leading up to and throughout the event!
Blue LaLa Entertainment provided the most magical and entertaining performances we have ever seen, featuring garden-themed performers for fun photo ops and a lively opening number that made the Ultimate Garden Party unforgettable.
Alpert Enterprises led an exhilarating live auction, offering multiple opportunities for global adventures and the Bid from the Heart.
Lee bravely shared her experience of navigating how to feed her family after her car broke down, leaving her without transportation to work. We appreciate her incredible story and invite you to watch her testimonial video below.
A special thank you to our fantastic event chair, Daniel Bentacourt, for his leadership, and to the Ultimate Garden Party planning committee for their hard work and dedication! Your commitment has been instrumental in making the event a tremendous success. We also want to acknowledge Amanda Mitteff, Becky Drake, Carralyce Buford, Jaquie Dua, Xio Guzman, Andrea Patenaude, Ashley Bedford, Jordan Vaughn, Katie Johnson, Rachel Barnes Eisenberg, and Sharon Joseph for pouring their hearts and souls into this event.
Finally, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible sponsors, especially The Glenda G. Morgan Charitable Foundation and WESH 2, as well as our generous donors, volunteers, and guests who supported the fourth annual Ultimate Garden Party. Your financial contributions, volunteer time, in-kind donations, and passion for this mission are deeply appreciated. We are grateful to be part of a community dedicated to fighting hunger, feeding hope, and helping neighbors thrive. You can view event photos on Second Harvest’s Facebook page.
