To support communities impacted by COVID-19, Raytheon Technologies has pledged $5 million to Feeding America, a nationwide network of hunger relief nonprofits. A grant of $159,000 will go to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to fund the local distribution of meals, groceries and essential supplies to residents of Brevard County.
As a result of the pandemic, the need for food assistance in Central Florida has increased by 11%. According to a study conducted by Feeding Florida, residents of Brevard County were missing 438,000 meals a week due to food insecurity before March 2020. Since March, that number has risen to nearly 500,000 meals per week.
“Before COVID-19, one in seven Central Floridians struggled with hunger on a regular basis – for children, that number was one in five,” said Dave Krepcho, CEO of Second Harvest. “In the wake of the pandemic, we have doubled distribution to serve the growing need in our community. Now, we distribute enough food for 300,000 meals a day. Support from partners like Raytheon Technologies is critical as we sustain this level of emergency response.”
Raytheon Technologies’ donation will allow Second Harvest to purchase additional food that will be distributed through its warehouse in Melbourne.
“The impact of COVID-19 on our communities has been swift and unprecedented,” added Greg Hayes, CEO of Raytheon Technologies. “The communities where our employees live and work are in need, and it’s our responsibility to support our friends and neighbors during this crisis.”
Second Harvest is one of 17 Feeding America® member food banks receiving donations from Raytheon Technologies.
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