Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is an essential business and service provider in Central Florida. The food bank, along with 500 feeding partners and a small army of volunteers continues the important work of distributing nutritious meals to people in need amid coronavirus social distancing and shelter-in-place orders.
“This week, volunteers are busy preparing meals for kids, families and seniors in the production kitchen,” explains Mindy Ortiz, director of volunteer services.
Meals are prepared and packaged for delivery to apartment complexes, mobile home parks, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other locations offering grab-and-go meal solutions to limit social interaction.
“Volunteers are also helping pack 1,000 COVID-19 disaster food boxes,” adds Mindy. “We can’t do this kind of work on behalf of the community without volunteers.”
Volunteers continue to be an important part of food distribution and are exempt from the Orange and Osceola County shelter-in-place ordinances. As part of the food bank team, volunteers may travel to the food bank to lend a hand, while adhering to CDC recommendations.
We can’t do this kind of work on behalf of the community without volunteers.”
-Mindy Ortiz, director of volunteer services, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Volunteering During Coronavirus Disaster
Below are guidelines we are following to combat the spread of the Coronavirus in our facility.
- Volunteer shifts are limited to no more than 30 volunteers at a time. Volunteers are then split into groups of 10 throughout the warehouse.
- Volunteers are being checked in by our front desk team instead of using tablets.
- Volunteers are no longer writing their names on volunteer stickers.
- Volunteer orientations are no longer being held in the break room. This will help avoid large gatherings.
- There are hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility.
- We are asking anyone that is sick to please refrain from volunteering.
If you have questions or concerns about volunteering, please contact Mindy Ortiz at mortiz@feedhopenow.org, or cancel your volunteer shift within Volunteer Hub.
You can also help by starting a virtual food drive, making an online donation, and spreading the word on social media by following @feedhopenow on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
