At the heart of Second Harvest’s success lies the unwavering commitment of its volunteers. The Central Florida community witnessed an overwhelming display of generosity last year as 39,138 volunteers stepped up to provide 119,765 hours of service to our neighbors experiencing hunger. Second Harvest’s volunteers’ dedication and selfless service have touched countless lives, and today, we express our deepest gratitude.
Each year Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida honors and celebrates individual, corporate and special event volunteers. This year, the food bank recognized volunteers who assisted with the Ultimate Garden Party, Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend, and other special projects like the Young Professionals Committee.
In recognition of their outstanding dedication, several volunteers received notable accolades.
Andre Reyna Youth Against Hunger Award
Andre Reyna, a young man of exceptional character, made a profound impact during his time at UCF. His commitment to social justice was evident through his regular involvement with the Second Harvest Food Bank and various local causes. Despite financial barriers, Andre believed everyone deserved access to life’s essentials. His memory continues to fuel the determination of his family, friends, and community. In honor of his enduring spirit, we present an annual award to individuals who exemplify the same selflessness and dedication to serving others as Andre did.
This year, the honor went to Cassie and Sabrina Glow, also known as The Glow Girls. These incredible sisters rallied support for their neighbors facing hunger cause through their business, Glow Girls Kid Voiceover. They demonstrated their commitment to making a difference by volunteering their time and talents, hosting virtual food drives, and raising funds for 40,000 meals.
David Pearlman Spirit of Volunteerism Award
Founder and proprietor of the renowned Orlando-based furniture company Kane’s Furniture, Dave Pearlman’s name has become synonymous with his relentless passion for curbing food waste and helping people facing hunger. Few, if any, have shown such unwavering dedication to feeding those in need as Dave Pearlman did. Rising before dawn, he would traverse the city, collecting surplus food from restaurants and distributing it to feeding programs. His commitment extended to serving on the Board of Directors at Second Harvest. While Dave may no longer be with us, Second Harvest recognizes his commitment with an award to a volunteer with the same determined spirit each year.
Steve Noppinger, an exemplary volunteer, was honored with this award. Through the stormy seas of uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, he has been a steady force, guiding the volunteer team through unique challenges with grace. As a volunteer captain, Steve has been invaluable to the volunteer staff, stepping in whenever needed. Furthermore, his impact extends beyond volunteering, as he passionately represents the food bank in local news media, spreading awareness of the importance of volunteer work. Despite facing personal hardships, Steve’s selflessness and love for the community have remained unwavering. When asked why he dedicates so much time to the food bank, Steve enthusiastically answered, “It’s like home. This is my Second Harvest home.”
Going the Extra Mile Award
The Going the Extra Mile Award honors a volunteer who consistently exceeds expectations. For 15 years, Bert Kragick has volunteered and donated her time and resources to Second Harvest Food Bank. Her leadership, grace, and ability to inspire others have earned her the utmost respect from Second Harvest and Servant’s Heart Ministry, one of the food bank’s 625 feeding partners.
“It’s an honor to be with these people every week,” said Bert. “I feel like I am supposed to be here.”
Immense Gratitude
The celebration would only be complete with heartfelt thanks to the Volunteer Captains. These remarkable volunteers step up to the plate, assuming leadership responsibilities and lending a helping hand to fellow volunteers and volunteer groups. They mentor new volunteers, handle pallet jacks with expertise, take charge of projects as needed, and graciously cover for our staff to give them a well-deserved break. Spot them at the food bank, proudly adorned in their vibrant (potentially customized) Volunteer Captain T-shirts.
Second Harvest also recognized Al Delio and Steve Noppinger, who individually helped provide over 100,000 meals to kids, families and seniors facing hunger through their volunteer efforts. Barry Pritchard, Evie Storlazzi, Jan Van Pavelka, and Dona Powell also joined The 50k Club, a small but mighty group of volunteers who provide more than 50,000 meals through their volunteerism each year.
Thank you, volunteers. Whether mentioned above or not, each of you plays an integral role in fighting hunger and feeding hope. Together, we can create a world where no one experiences hunger.
