With schools closing for summer break, breakfast and lunch are no longer on the table for thousands of children in Central Florida. One way to help bridge the gap and provide nutritious meals for kids and families this summer is by hosting a virtual food drive.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida’s Virtual Food Drive tool allows individuals and organizations to engage friends, family, and colleagues to help raise funds to support Central Florida neighbors facing hunger. Every $10 raised provides 40 meals and hope as kids and families wrestle with higher bills for everything from rent to food this summer.
“I am humbled and grateful to be able to channel the good in others toward such an important need, addressing food insecurity,” says Virtual Food Drive organizer Steve Ferrell. Sixteen years ago, Steve began hosting a free lunchtime concert in downtown Orlando to raise funds for charity. The collective effort of individuals and organizations working together to fight hunger makes an incredible impact.
Using Second Harvest’s Virtual Food Drive tool, Steve recruits support from friends, family, colleagues, and business relationships. He offers tiered sponsorship levels to recognize supporters at the concert. The online system allows donors to immediately see the positive impact of their support as their dollars translate to meals provided to kids and families.
“It allows me to share my gift of music and inspire others to share their financial gifts,” adds Steve.
Steve’s past Virtual Food Drives have been tremendous successes, raising over $30,000 last year alone—enough to provide 120,000 meals! What a testament to the power of a community coming together to support one another. With another free concert planned for July 11, he is ready to make an even bigger impact this year.
Will you join Steve and others in making a difference this summer? By hosting a virtual food drive, you can help provide nutritious meals to kids and families all summer. Learn more at www.virtualfooddrive.org.
