Providing meals for families and kids is an act of pure kindness. Thank you for being part of a community that cares enough to ensure kids have access to the food resources needed to experience a worry-free, hunger-free summer. Read on to see how your collective efforts made it possible to fight summer hunger in remarkable ways.
60 Summer Sites
Second Harvest’s Summer Food Service Program hit the road on June 3 to deliver fresh, nutritious meals to kids. The program served children at 60 summer camps, daycare centers, parks and other programs across five Central Florida counties. During the 10-week summer break, 100,000 meals were provided for free to kids ages 18 and under. This feat was accomplished thanks to a fleet of trailers, which traveled 20,0000 miles to deliver breakfasts and lunches – that’s enough to travel Interstate 4 from one end to the other 152 times!
Over 300,000 Meals a Day
Second Harvest and its 750 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, soup kitchens and shelters. In addition, 96 mobile food drops distributed 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 showed up in force to host food drives, sort food donations, prepare meals at Mercy Kitchen, rescue food and rescue grocery items at food shows, and much, much more. More than 5,700 of you donated over 21,000 hours this summer. Your selfless contributions are the backbone of this mission.
13 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, 13 students graduated and launched their new careers in food service. 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 financial support, Virtual Food Drives, and volunteerism, local students and families across Central Florida are entering the new school year filled with hope. Your actions have truly made a difference.
