Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc across Central Florida, forcing families, seniors and people with special needs to seek refuge at area shelters, taking only the basic necessities with them.
In response, Second Harvest volunteers ramped up meal production at Mercy Kitchen. The facility is designed to flex and respond to any kind of disaster. Hurricane Ian is the first storm to test its resolve since it opened in 2021.
Volunteers answered the call to help, even on the weekend when Mercy Kitchen typically takes a rest. The kitchen has operated 6 days a week since the storm passed to produce thousands of fresh, nutritious meals for neighbors at emergency shelters.
Down the street at the main Orlando warehouse, catering staff enlist the help of volunteers to prepare family-style meals in the Darden Foundation Community Kitchen.
The Central Florida Chapter of American Red Cross picks up meals twice a day to deliver to neighbors in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties.
As our neighbors wrestle with what it will take to return home, begin cleanup efforts and find their footing, your kindness, support and volunteerism will not be forgotten.
Thank you for making it possible to provide meals and hope when our neighbors need them most. This effort is expected to continue for several days with no end in sight.
Your help is needed to prepare meals daily.
Volunteer at Mercy Kitchen
