Elvin and his wife moved to Orlando to be with their college-age son with special needs. Elvin hoped to transfer from one hotel to another, but then the pandemic wiped out his plan.
“Unemployment is not a job. I want a real job,” Elvin explained.
Like so many thousands of hospitality workers in Central Florida, Elvin faced a choice: wait out the pandemic or find something else. After more than nine months of searching for a job, he decided to pursue a different path.
“I said to myself, ‘Now is the time to do it because I have the time to do it.’” Elvin said. “Cooking is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”
Because of caring individuals like you, Second Harvest Food Bank’s Culinary Training Program remained open during the pandemic. Your support helped 64 students graduate and launch new careers with Publix Supermarkets, Walt Disney World Resort, and Rosen Hotels, among other top employers. Today, Elvin is happily working at a local attraction as a lead cook.
“The hardest thing was not necessarily the lack of work. It was that I missed my co-workers. You gave that feeling of community back to me. I am grateful for you.”
One step at a time, hardworking parents are getting back on their feet, thanks to you.
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