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Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Blogging at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Fighting hunger. Feeding hope.

Fighting hunger. Feeding hope.

Luzmary’s Story: “Dreams do come true.”

February 3, 2020 by Erika Spence

Luzmary (left) in the Darden Foundation Community Kitchen with a fellow student.

When Luzmary Gomez was 17, she found herself thousands of miles away from her hometown, her extended family and her friends. She fled the political unrest and violence in Venezuela with her mother and younger siblings for a chance at a better life.

Luzmary arrived in Orlando unable to speak English and with limited skills in foodservice but was determined to overcome any obstacle to pursue her dream of being a pastry chef. She completed high school and worked at a local fast-food restaurant to help her mother pay rent. There was little leftover in the budget each month for necessities. The idea of paying for culinary school was unthinkable.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida offered Luzmary an opportunity to gain the experience she needed to pursue her dream at no cost. Over the course of 16 weeks, she worked diligently to learn as much as she could about food safety, sanitation, knife skills and executing a variety of recipes, sweet and savory. She also learned essential communication and teamwork skills.

“I’m very grateful to learn in a professional kitchen and have such a valuable experience,” said Luzmary.

One of the most pivotal moments for Luzmary was watching two Second Harvest Culinary Training Program graduates compete at the American Culinary Federation conference in Orlando. Clarimar and Yoleida placed first and third respectively in the wedding cake competition, winning the hearts of the judges and Luzmary. Both were glad to pay it forward and mentor Luzmary.

At graduation, Luzmary began working at Hyatt Regency Orlando as a pastry cook. Her enthusiasm and eagerness to learn was recognized by the AHLA Foundation’s Empowering Youth Program. This apprenticeship opportunity will help Luzmary advance in her career through hands-on learning in the hospitality industry.

“Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity and showing me that dreams do come true.”

You can help others like Luzmary achieve their dreams.

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Read More Stories from the Culinary Training Program

Food is more than a meal

August 10, 2022
Culinary Training June 2022

Celebrating Culinary Training Success

July 7, 2022

Rep. Demings Presents Federal Funding to Second Harvest Food Bank

June 27, 2022

Filed Under: Culinary Training Program, Stories of Hope & Courage Tagged With: Students

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Happy first day of school! Through a variety of Happy first day of school! Through a variety of programs, Second Harvest Food Bank is helping close the hunger gap for local students. Kid’s Cafés, Kids Packs, Summer Food Service, and the School Partnerships programs meet kids where they are to provide access to healthy, nutritious food. #BackToSchool #ThisIsFood
TRUE or FALSE: In Central Florida, 1 in 7 people e TRUE or FALSE: In Central Florida, 1 in 7 people experience hunger.By learning more about what food means to families, children, seniors, and neighbors facing hunger, you will have a better and richer understanding of how vitally important your support continues to be in changing lives.Test your knowledge of the issue of hunger in Central Florida with the This Is Food link in our bio. #ThisIsFood
With the nutritious food they need, our neighbors With the nutritious food they need, our neighbors can focus on training for a better job, finding stable housing, and raising healthy kids. #MissionMonday #ThisIsFood
The sticker shock at the grocery store isn’t goi The sticker shock at the grocery store isn’t going away for Central Florida families. #Inflation is forcing more families are taking advantage of food bank services to help make ends meet.Learn how Second Harvest helps families with food for today and hope for tomorrow. Look for #ThisIsFood in #LinkInBio. #FeedHopeNow
No family in Florida should face hunger. Too many No family in Florida should face hunger. Too many do.Bigger grocery bills mean kitchen pantries empty even faster. Nutrition programs like SNAP can lend a helping hand. Find out more at link in bio.
Because of your support, Second Harvest Food Bank Because of your support, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida distributes enough food for 250,000 meals across six counties to tens of thousands of our neighbors every single day. . But feeding our neighbors facing hunger is only the beginning. Second Harvest Food Bank is not only feeding the line of people who need help today but attacking hunger in other important ways. Learn more at #ThisIsFood link in bio.
Feeding our neighbors facing hunger is only the be Feeding our neighbors facing hunger is only the beginning. With your help, Second Harvest Food Bank is feeding inspiration, change, achievement, health — and families facing hunger. #ThisIsFood
Food is more than a meal. Together, we are feeding Food is more than a meal. Together, we are feeding inspiration, change, achievement, health, and families facing hunger. #ThisIsFood
Christmas in July is almost over! Grab your swee Christmas in July is almost over! Grab your sweet local Florida honey with this Buy 2 Get 1 Free sale. Use code BUY2 at checkout. Visit aspoonfullofhope.org or click the link in the bio.
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Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a member of Feeding America – the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. SHFBCF secures and distributes food and grocery products to more than 500 local nonprofit feeding partners throughout Central Florida. Through the help of food and financial donors, volunteers and a caring, committed community, the food bank distributes enough food for a quarter of a million meals every day to the six-county service area. Feeding our neighbors facing hunger is only the beginning. By investing in job training programs, advocating for access to nutritious foods, and inspiring our community to get involved, SHFBCF is leaning into the root causes of hunger and transforming lives. With the support of our Central Florida community, Second Harvest Food Bank is feeding inspiration, change, achievement, health — and families facing hunger. To learn more about SHFBCF, visit FeedHopeNow.org.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit recognized by the IRS. Tax ID Number: 59-2142315 Email: info@feedhopenow.org

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Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
411 Mercy Drive, Orlando, Florida 32805
(p) 407-295-1066
Click here for more information.

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