“Anything I’ve done at Second Harvest has been a joy,” says Neishla, a local Walmart associate and veteran volunteer.
Neishla’s journey with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida began when a coworker introduced her to the food bank as an opportunity to engage in team building through community service. For the last six years, Neishla has been fighting hunger by sorting food donations, preparing lunches and packing boxes of essential nonperishable foods for Central Florida neighbors facing hunger.
Hear from Neishla in the video below.
“I am thinking about the people who are receiving it, those that don’t have access to food,” Neishla explains while adding fruit cups to a box of nonperishable food. “I see what we put in, and it seems very healthy, not necessarily just junk food that we’re giving people or the things that people don’t want to eat. It’s things that we eat at our own houses.”
In Central Florida, one in eight people – kids, families and seniors – are facing hunger. By partnering with companies like Walmart and Sam’s Club year-round, Second Harvest can leverage volunteerism, food donations and community support through the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign to impact our neighbors.
“It’s crazy extreme to know that there are so many people out there,” she says, her voice filled with emotion. “I realized it’s not necessarily people that have no money. It might just be that they don’t have the transportation to get the food they need.”
But it’s not just about the cans of food or boxes of meals; for Neishla, it’s about the connections formed. She emphasizes how volunteering helps build trust and camaraderie among coworkers. “We learn that we don’t know everything, and we help and learn together,” she reflects. Even when faced with unfamiliar tasks like sorting frozen meat, the support and patience of fellow volunteers make the experience both educational and rewarding.
“It’s super fun, just to see how much you actually make at the end of the day,” Neishla shares. “When you walk out of here, it brings you joy.”
Neishla is fighting hunger and sparking change through volunteerism. You can, too. Learn more about volunteering as an individual or a group at www.feedhopenow.org/volunteer.
