In the wake of Hurricane Milton, communities across Central Florida came together to support families dealing with food insecurity, intensified by widespread power outages. As the community’s emergency food provider, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, its network of feeding partners, dedicated volunteers and supporters stepped up to deliver food and hope.
At a mobile food distribution event hosted by a church in Altamonte Springs, a Second Harvest semi-truck delivered fresh produce, nonperishable food, meat and bakery items for 300 local households impacted by the storm.
For some, this distribution was a much-needed source of stability. Donna, one of the residents in line, shared her struggles after Hurricane Milton.
“This is my second time coming here,” she explained. She visited the church food pantry once before the storm and knew it would be a good place to help replace food she lost in the storm. “I lost power, so everything in my fridge went bad. I came here to get food to help feed my family.”
Mark, another resident, also expressed appreciation for the assistance he received. He has been relying on food distributions on and off since 2021 when his financial situation worsened during the pandemic. Waiting in line, he reflected, “Things have been difficult since then. And now the storm. Programs like this really make a difference.”
Despite being first in line that morning, Mark’s gratitude was evident. He expressed appreciation for the food and the community’s kindness and resilience, saying, “Everyone here is here to help each other—it’s heartwarming to see.”
As cars continued to line up, a steady stream of community members—friends, families, and even neighbors—arrived to collect food or lend a helping hand. For residents like Diane, a volunteer at the event, it was an opportunity to give back.
“The more I can bless others, the better I’m blessed,” Diane reflected after loading food into a resident’s car. At this moment, it was clear that this event was about more than just providing food; it was about lifting spirits and fostering connections, strengthening the fabric of our community in a time of recovery.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and its network of 750 feeding partners support kids, families and seniors year-round with food resources whenever needed. The Food Bank responds to neighbors and communities in the wake of natural disasters, as well as hardships like job loss, unexpected car repairs, healthcare crises, or any situation that sends a family budget into a tailspin.
In the wake of Hurricane Milton, the generosity of Central Floridians reminds us that even in the face of challenges, the community is committed to helping each other rebuild.
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