Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida’s School Partnership Program spent the first semester of the school year working with local partners and schools to fight childhood hunger.
By working together, these powerful partnerships help eliminate obstacles preventing students and families from accessing the food resources they need to learn, grow and thrive. First, having food available at school eliminates needing another stop at a food pantry or finding transportation. Second, by opening the in-school market to all students, the stigma often associated with asking for help is lifted.
During the Fall 2023 semester, School Partnerships distributed enough food for 301,837 meals to 100,917 students and families.
Weekend Family Meal Bags
The Fly Beyond pilot initiative funded by the Wawa Foundation expanded fresh produce partnerships at 10 additional schools. The pilot program also transformed student-focused weekend snack packs into a grocery tote filled with meal items for the entire family.
One parent was brought to tears when she picked up her child at an Orange County elementary school and saw the food he was bringing home. “We’ve been having a difficult time making the grocery budget cover all of our needs with the rising costs of food,” she explained. “This gives me a sense of relief.”
Students and families received 12,896 weekend family meal bags during the Fall semester.
Additional Program Highlights
Fresh Markets happen monthly at local schools. Student leaders, school staff and PTA volunteers help pre-pack produce bags or set up a pop-up market where students and families can select fresh fruits and vegetables to take home for free. The markets often introduce new produce to students.
“When the fresh produce arrived, it was awesome to see the kids work together to get the items bagged,” explains a school liaison in Brevard County. “There was different produce that some students had never seen before. Kids started sharing favorite recipes and how their family prepares the different vegetables.”
At another distribution, dragon fruit, a tropical fruit high in fiber and antioxidants, was a hit. “I’ve only seen one of these on the internet!” exclaimed a student in Seminole County. “I’m excited to try one!”
These stories are possible thanks to a caring community and dedicated partners, including Aetna, Cigna, Papa John’s, Wawa and Westgate Resorts. Thank you for helping provide the healthy, nutritious meals kids and families need to thrive.
