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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.

Melissa’s Story of Hope & Courage

November 13, 2020 by Erika Spence Leave a Comment

A year ago, Melissa thought she and her family were on solid financial ground. She and her husband and steady jobs, their bills were paid and their kids were thriving at school.

When the pandemic hit earlier this year, they both lost their jobs and watched their bank account balance drop weekly as they paid rent, utilities and other bills. Once stay at home orders were lifted, Melissa found an hourly retail job.

“You just start from the bottom and work your way back up,” she said, determined to rebuild.

With inconsistent hours and fluctuating income, Melissa reached out for help, something she had never done before – and she’s not alone. About 40 percent of the people who are visiting a food distribution have never had to ask for help with food assistance before.

When Melissa arrived at Lake Cares Food Pantry in Mount Dora, one of Second Harvest’s 550 feeding partners, she followed the line of vehicles through the parking lot to where volunteers loaded groceries into her car. This contactless drive-up system has become the new normal at food pantries across Central Florida.

“We’ve always had a large number of seniors pick up food,” explains Irene O’Malley, executive director at Lake Cares. “But now, more and more young families who are unemployed are turning to us for help. We haven’t seen anything like this since the recession.”

Melissa drove home with a trunk filled with pantry staples like peanut butter, cereal and canned soups, along with bread, fresh produce and milk.

“I have no idea what we would have done if we hadn’t been able to connect with the pantry,” says Melissa. “Thank you for being there for my family when we needed you.”

Help give hope to families like Melissa’s.

Every dollar donated can provide four meals.

GIVE HOPE
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Filed Under: Coronavirus, Hunger News, Stories of Hope & Courage Tagged With: COVID-19, Feeding Partners, food pantry, help, pandemic, thank you

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said, "Everyt Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said, "Everything that is done in the world is done by hope."Honor his legacy today and every day by finding a way to share hope and serve your community. #MLKDay #feedhopenow
Second Harvest Food Bank is closed on Monday, Janu Second Harvest Food Bank is closed on Monday, January 18. If you are in need of food assistance, please contact Heart of Florida United Way at 2-1-1 or visit the link in our bio to find a food pantry or meal program near you.#MLKDay #FoodBank #FeedHopeNow
"I wanted to do something for people now who are s "I wanted to do something for people now who are struggling. I have money for my own food, and felt that I had enough to be a monthly donor.”You can join the fight against hunger with a financial gift, monthly gift, the gift of time or by sharing your voice and speaking up on behalf of others. Find ways to #getinvolved at link in bio. #fighthunger #helpothers #takeaction #feedhopenow
In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and hi In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his fundamental belief in service to the community, @ocfl Mayor Jerry L. Demings, Commissioner Mayra Uribe, Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero and members of the Mayor's MLK Initiative volunteered at Second Harvest's new Mercy Kitchen to help assemble meals for kids in our community as part of a Pre-MLK Day of Service event. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Second Harvest, visit the link in our bio #MLKDay #MLKDayofService #Volunteer #FeedHopeNow
Second Harvest recently went "In Depth" with @news Second Harvest recently went "In Depth" with @news13 to talk about what the need for food assistance looks like in Central Florida and why federal funding, more than ever, is important. Tune in at #linkinbio. #localnews #foodbank #covidrelief #feedhopenow
Retail Resource Group, creators of the @mybevi bra Retail Resource Group, creators of the @mybevi brand of premium quality stainless steel drinkware, recently presented a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida that will provide 40,000 meals to families facing hunger in our community. #ThankfulThursday #MyBevi #HelpingOthers #FeedHopeNow
"I enjoy being at the food bank and lending a hand "I enjoy being at the food bank and lending a hand." For the last three years, Sandy has volunteered in the production kitchen on Wednesdays to help pack meals for kids in our community. 🙋 Make volunteering part of your new year! 40 shifts are available this week ➡️ see link in bio. #volunteer #newyearsresolution #helpingothers #thisisorlando #fighthunger #feedhopenow
For anyone in need, food is available. Find food p For anyone in need, food is available. Find food pantries and meal programs near you (see link in bio). #foodbank #endhunger #feedhopenow
Together, we’re helping our community move forwa Together, we’re helping our community move forward and build a stronger, more hopeful future. Find ways to get involved at link in bio. #financialsupport #fooddrive #virtualfooddrive #volunteer #advocate #shopandsupport #feedhopenow
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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. Second Harvest secures and distributes food and grocery products to approximately 550 local nonprofit feeding programs throughout Central Florida. Last year, with the help of food and financial donors, volunteers and a caring, committed community, the food bank distributed more than 63 million meals to partner programs such as food pantries, soup kitchens, women’s shelters, senior centers, daycare centers and Kids Cafes. On average, Second Harvest is distributing enough food to feed 58,000 people a day.

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
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