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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.

Programs You Support

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a private, nonprofit organization that collects, stores and distributes donated food to more than 625 feeding partners in seven Central Florida counties: Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia. Last year, with the help of numerous donors, volunteers and a caring, committed community, the food bank distributed nearly 81 million meals to partner programs such as food pantries, soup kitchens, women’s shelters, senior centers, daycare centers and Kids Cafes.

Second Harvest Food Bank Unveils New Mobile Farmers Market

April 29, 2025

Ensuring Food Gets Into the Cars – and Hands – of Neighbors Facing Hunger

April 22, 2025

From Source to Table

April 17, 2025

Seminole County Pantry Reopens with Renewed Focus on Fighting Hunger

March 27, 2025

Healthy Eating Starts Early

March 20, 2025

Pass the Veggies: Central Florida Is Hungry for Nutrition Education

March 17, 2025

Project VEGGIE Aims to Curb Picky Eating

March 13, 2025

You are Fueling Student Success

March 10, 2025

You Help Families Thrive

March 3, 2025

Food Fuels Learning and Builds Community

February 25, 2025

Ending the Vicious Cycle of Hunger

February 17, 2025

Mother Mary’s Market Joins School Partnerships Program to Combat Collegiate Hunger

February 12, 2025

Taking a Chance on Yourself Can Change Everything

February 10, 2025

Your 2024 Impact

January 15, 2025

Good Nutrition, From Pantry to Plate

December 11, 2024

A Fresh Take on Food Resources for Kids

December 10, 2024

Now Open: Expanded Brevard Branch

December 8, 2024

Transforming 500 Lives… and Counting

December 6, 2024

Celebrating New Careers and 500 graduates

November 15, 2024

“It’s Not a Job, It’s a Career.”

November 8, 2024

“Find your forte and perfect it.”

October 22, 2024

A Dream Come True

October 16, 2024

A summer of hope – thanks to you!

August 20, 2024

Xavier Finds a Fulfilling New Career

August 19, 2024

Student Learns Valuable Job Skills at School Market

August 16, 2024

BJ’s Wholesale Club Donates $150,000 to Second Harvest to Feed Lake County Children During Summer Months

August 15, 2024

School Partnerships Prepare for New School Year

August 13, 2024

Wawa Grants $475,000 to Second Harvest to Continue Feeding More Children

August 5, 2024

Serving Up Smiles (and Hope) this Summer

July 30, 2024

You are Nourishing our Neighbors

July 26, 2024

Food is Learning

July 25, 2024

You Make Tomorrow Possible

July 21, 2024

A Recipe for Success: Suzeline is Betting on Herself

July 8, 2024

A Helping Hand for Maria

June 20, 2024

Launching New Careers: 13 Students Graduate from Culinary Training Program

June 14, 2024

Transforming Lives: Dezmond’s Story

May 29, 2024

The Emergency Food Assistance Program Provides Stability for Central Florida Families

May 23, 2024

3 ways to fight hunger this summer

May 22, 2024

“Everything is going up.”

May 20, 2024

Abbott Helps Second Harvest Prepare for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season

May 16, 2024

Striving Forward, One Meal at a Time

May 3, 2024

Blessings Beyond the Box

April 23, 2024

Students Explore Plant-Based Cuisine

April 15, 2024

Together We Make a Difference

April 3, 2024

Beyond the Table: Social Determinants of Health

March 26, 2024

You Help Students Succeed

March 25, 2024

Meet the Teachers

March 13, 2024

Distributing Meals and Hopes through Mobile Drops

March 11, 2024

Meet Terri: A Woman on a Mission

March 8, 2024

Nutrition Beyond the Table

March 6, 2024

Better Diet, Better Health

March 4, 2024

5 Tips for Reading Food Labels to Truly Understand What Is in Your Food

March 1, 2024

Always Learning: Seeking growth after graduation

February 27, 2024

Students and Families Receive Help, New Foods at School Partnerships

February 22, 2024

Cooking Up a New Career

February 20, 2024

5 Heart Healthy “To Do’s” for Kids

February 16, 2024

After School Meals Provide Stability for Students and Parents

February 14, 2024

Celebrating New Careers as 13 Students Graduate from Culinary Training Program

January 24, 2024

Sharpening Skills for a Brighter Future: Stacey’s Story

December 27, 2023

What a difference a year makes.

December 22, 2023

Second Harvest Partners with Orange County Public Schools to Feed 3,400 Students and Families

December 19, 2023

Increasing Access to Produce at Local Food Pantries

December 17, 2023

See Your Impact Inside a Local Food Pantry

December 16, 2023

Transforming Student Lives Through Food

December 15, 2023

Mobile drops warm hearts

December 14, 2023

Fresh Produce is a Game-changer for Students and Families

December 7, 2023

Bruce’s Story

November 30, 2023

You Fill Carts and Hearts

November 29, 2023

Hope in All Seasons

November 27, 2023

The Sky is the Limit: Dezmond’s Story

November 22, 2023

One veteran offers a helping hand

November 14, 2023

Savoring Success: A Peek into a Culinary Trainee’s Journey

November 8, 2023

Serving others through food

November 8, 2023

The heat is rising, so is hunger

October 2, 2023

A summer of hope – thanks to you!

August 25, 2023

Empowering Communities, Fighting Hunger: Second Harvest’s Partner Network Conference

August 14, 2023

Empowering Students at Washington Shores Elementary School

August 9, 2023

Brightening Summer Days and Nourishing Young Minds

August 8, 2023

Food Provides Stability for Students and Families

July 31, 2023

Transforming Lives: Nerlande’s Story

July 28, 2023

You Are Feeding Families and Futures

July 27, 2023

Benefits Connection: Reflecting on 15 Years of Helping Neighbors Put Food on the Table

June 28, 2023

Second Harvest’s Benefits Connection Program Marks 15 Years of Community Impact

June 27, 2023

Combating Childhood Hunger with Nutritious Meals This Summer

June 26, 2023

14 Students Graduate from Culinary Training Program, Launch New Careers

June 22, 2023

Fresh produce for kids and families

June 6, 2023

Transforming Lives: Pascale’s Story

June 5, 2023

Medically Tailored Meals

June 4, 2023

You are serving up smiles this summer

June 3, 2023

Delivering Healthy Food and Hope

May 17, 2023

Second Harvest Expands Health and Hunger Program with Medically Tailored Meals Pilot

May 11, 2023

Second Harvest’s Culinary Training Program Marks 10 Years, Looks Ahead to Celebrating More Student Success

May 2, 2023

A Box of Meals and Hope

March 8, 2023
Culinary Graduation January 2023

Celebrating 16 Culinary Graduates

January 25, 2023

You Make It Possible

December 27, 2022

Top 4 Stories You Made Possible in 2022

December 22, 2022

The Season of Sharing

December 19, 2022

After School Meals Impact the Lives of Local Kids

December 9, 2022

Food Distributions Bring Sense of Relief

December 6, 2022

Student helping students

December 5, 2022

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feedhopenow

Inspiring and engaging Central Florida to end hunger.
🍏 Use #feedhopenow for a chance to be featured.

Ready for it? ✨Two “Fearless” Swifties have Ready for it?✨Two “Fearless” Swifties have “Karma” on their side after raising funds beyond their “Wildest Dreams” to fight hunger in Central Florida!!!💖The New Orleans sixth-graders entered their giving era with their Virtual Food Drive inspired by their trip to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stop in their city this fall.➡️Read more about the two hunger-fighting "Masterminds" at the link in bio.
Second Harvest’s Young Professionals Committee w Second Harvest’s Young Professionals Committee was recently recognized for its dedication to fighting hunger by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Florida Chapter during its annual National Philanthropy Day celebration. 🎉The group was given a plaque for “Innovation & Excellence in Fundraising” for conceptualizing and launching key events, such as an annual Trivia Night. The group also partnered with @orlandoadvancedpickleball to host a tournament that generated enough funding to provide 11,000 meals for local kids, families, and seniors facing hunger.Former committee chair Greg Fornadel was also honored with the “Emerging Leader in Philanthropy” award for helping to build the committee’s reputation and positioning it as a model organization for similar-minded young professionals dedicated to serving other nonprofits. 🧡➡️More about the Young Professionals Committee at the link in bio.
Second Harvest proudly highlights the stories of t Second Harvest proudly highlights the stories of those dedicated to supporting veterans through hunger relief. ❤️🤍💙Augie served 22 years in the U.S. military and received help from many soldiers during those years. He now works for Veterans Affairs connecting veterans to community resources, including food.“It’s a gratification for me to have been able to help fellow veterans with the services and benefits we all deserve,” he said. “Working at the VA has helped me to reach out to all veterans from all services and provide that brotherhood I encountered during my military service.”➡️Read more about Augie's work helping veterans: https://pulse.ly/ycdogxhbsm
As Thanksgiving approaches, Second Harvest wants t As Thanksgiving approaches, Second Harvest wants to make sure neighbors have food on the table. 🍽️With more than 750 feeding partners in seven counties across Central Florida, there is help close to you.If you need food assistance this holiday season or any time, visit our food finder to locate the closest resources. 🧡➡️Find food now at the link in bio.
Volunteer as a family like the Chesnuts! 🧡 Jas Volunteer as a family like the Chesnuts! 🧡Jason, Rita, Emily and Reese recently worked a shift together at the Second Harvest warehouse and enjoyed the quality time.“We keep coming back because it is a great way for us to be together, talk, and not be on our phones,” Rita said. “It is also great exercise!”➡️Sign up your crew today at the link in bio.
📅Save the Date: Share Your Christmas 2024 is on 📅Save the Date: Share Your Christmas 2024 is on Friday, Dec. 13! 📣🎄One day. Six locations. Unlimited opportunity for impact!🎉 @wesh2 ’s annual Share Your Christmas food and fund drive supporting Second Harvest is back for its 39th year.➡️Collection sites:Brevard County - @brevardzoo Lake County - @lakecountyso Clermont SubstationMarion County - @delucatoyotaocala Orange/Seminole Counties: WESH 2 StudiosOsceola County: @celebrationtowncenter Volusia County: @daytona 🎅More about Share Your Christmas at the link in bio.
📣Thankful Thursday: 5,500 meals rescued!! A vo 📣Thankful Thursday: 5,500 meals rescued!!A volunteer team from E&J Gallo recently rescued 5,500 meals worth of food left over from a recent Orlando food show. 🍏➡️Sign up to volunteer for Second Harvest for food shows, warehouse shifts or events at the link in bio.
📣Thanksgiving Holiday Meals To-Go can now be or 📣Thanksgiving Holiday Meals To-Go can now be ordered until Nov. 20 through @plateabovecatering , the exclusive caterer of Second Harvest.Celebrate without the hassle of cooking. Our Thanksgiving meals to-go feature all the traditional favorites prepared with a gourmet twist. 🍽️➡️Check out the menu and start planning your holiday feast today at the link in bio.
Thankful for our friends at @rchc_charterschool ! Thankful for our friends at @rchc_charterschool ! 👏Principal Brett Taylor brought in the 650 cans collected during the K-8 school's annual community fundraiser. 🥫Thanks for fighting hunger and feeding hope this holiday season! 🧡➡️Start your own food drive at the link in bio.
This Veterans Day, Second Harvest recognizes and a This Veterans Day, Second Harvest recognizes and amplifies the voices of individuals connected to the food bank who have served our country or advocate for veterans and military families.The reality is in the fight against hunger, Second Harvest provides food resources to veterans in Central Florida facing food insecurity and works toward connecting them to the resources and benefits they need to thrive. 🌱On the front lines of this effort is Denise, the food bank's Program Manager and Community Liaison.  She supports neighbors across Central Florida, including veterans, who are near and dear to her heart. 🧡➡️Read more about Denise's work to combat food insecurity in the local veteran community at the link in bio.
📣Applications for the Disaster Supplemental Nut 📣Applications for the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) for Lake and Volusia County residents open Monday.D-SNAP provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton and who are not receiving food assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).📅Pre-Registration Dates: Monday, November 11 – Friday, November 15☎️Telephone Dates: Tuesday, November 12 – Friday, November 15➡️Onsite locations will be announced as they open. Learn more at the link in bio. #HurricaneMilton #DisasterRelief
“We believe it’s so important for people to ha “We believe it’s so important for people to have access not just to food, but to nutritious food, and we find that almost everybody really wants it and enjoys it,” said Mark Thompson, co-founder of The Picnic Project in Sanford, a feeding partner of Second Harvest, and one of the most recently certified nutritious pantries in a growing network. 🧡A nutritious pantry is a feeding partner that is committed to implementing practices that support neighbors’ access, choice, and use of nutritious foods. 🍏➡️Learn more about this initiative at the link in bio.
As Thanksgiving approaches, the food bank's Volunt As Thanksgiving approaches, the food bank's Volunteer Services Team has set a goal to provide 40,000 meals for Central Florida families facing hunger, and they need your help to get there! 🍽️A generous donor has pledged to match gifts — up to $10,000 —between now and Thanksgiving! Every $10 provides 40 meals for children, families, and seniors facing hunger this holiday season.Together, we can bring hope and meals to neighbors this Thanksgiving. 🍁➡️Feed hope this holiday season at the link in bio.
✨Give gifts that give back this year! ✨ Every ✨Give gifts that give back this year! ✨Everyone loves a one-stop shop for gift giving! Now you can buy a gift and give back too. 🛍️✉️Putting the holiday card list together? Spread cheer with traditional holiday cards.🍽️Take the stress out of your holiday get-together with @plateabovecatering, the exclusive caterer of Second Harvest Food Bank. From full-service catering to holiday dinners to go, you'll find the right size feast for any party.👕Need your very own Second Harvest t-shirt for your next volunteer shift or a cute new mug for your morning brew? ☕Visit Second Harvest Food Bank's online store for all the hunger-fighting swag!🧡You can give the gift of hope to kids, families and seniors facing hunger this holiday season with every purchase.➡️Shop Now at the link in bio.
After Jeremy lost his custodial job because of ill After Jeremy lost his custodial job because of illness, he spent three years looking for decent-paying work to support his wife and children.But he had limited skills and limited luck.At a job fair in Orlando, he learned about Second Harvest Food Bank’s Culinary Training Program. 🍽️The nonprofit’s culinary 16-week program trains about 35 people a year to work in professional kitchens since 2013. It will graduate its 500th student this month.Jeremy said the program wasn’t easy, but he got through it, graduated and now works as a line cook at a sports bar at @hiltonorlando. 🧡“It feels so good that you can work with these different types of people every single day just for one goal, to get the service done and make sure people are happy,” Jeremy said.➡️Read more about Jeremy's journey to success in this recent story from the @orlandosentinel at the link in bio.
💡How much do you know about the fight against h 💡How much do you know about the fight against hunger in Central Florida?➡️Take the quiz at the link in bio to find out.
When @lakecares in Mount Dora lost power at its ma When @lakecares in Mount Dora lost power at its main distribution center and warehouse during #HurricaneMilton, Second Harvest was able to help restock the pantry in time for its next distribution day.Knowing community members would need assistance the Saturday following the storm, not opening was not an option. 🧡Second Harvest was there with a truck filled with 16 pallets of produce, water, MREs and prepared meals. 🚚➡️Read more about weathering this storm together at the link in bio.
📣Save the Date!📣 📅 December 3 is #Giving 📣Save the Date!📣📅 December 3 is #GivingTuesday, a day on which people around the world use their individual power of generosity to support their communities.Join Second Harvest, @wesh2 and fellow Hunger Heroes in sharing the love with kids, families, and seniors experiencing hunger in Central Florida. 🧡
In the wake of Hurricane Milton, communities acros 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, its network of feeding partners, dedicated volunteers and supporters stepped up to deliver food and hope. 🧡➡️Read more about families who received the support they needed at the link in bio.
Feed hope this holiday season! ❄️ When you st Feed hope this holiday season! ❄️When you start a Virtual Food Drive for Second Harvest, every $1 raised provides four meals to Central Florida families facing hunger. 🍽️➡️Help ensure there are holiday meals on every table at the link in bio.
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About Us

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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