Merger with First Step Food Bank Will Create Third Branch in Central Florida Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, the region’s largest hunger relief network, is set to expand into Marion County by merging with First Step Food Bank, Inc., which has served the community since 1992. Converting to branch operations not only strengthens the current infrastructure but … [Read more...] about Second Harvest Food Bank Expands Hunger Relief
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Feeding Florida’s Hungry Is Harder Than Ever as Support Wanes
After two difficult years, we’re all ready to believe that post-pandemic life is getting “back to normal.” But when it comes to hunger in Central Florida, that’s far from true. I’ve seen it firsthand over the last nine months as CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida: Food insecurity – and the challenges of solving it – are getting worse, not better. The national … [Read more...] about Feeding Florida’s Hungry Is Harder Than Ever as Support Wanes
A Word of Gratitude
This summer, with your generous help, Second Harvest Food Bank is preparing for two very different kinds of disaster. While we hope that tropical storms and hurricanes stay offshore, we are ready to respond if the moment of need should arise. Meanwhile, a more devastating and catastrophic disaster faces far too many of our neighbors, especially kids. One in five Central … [Read more...] about A Word of Gratitude
The Pandemic, the Recession, and Hunger: What We’ve Learned
“Just because I have a car doesn’t mean I have enough money to buy food.” This quote, featured in a 2020 New York Times headline, offers a glimpse at the true face of hunger in America – and it’s not what you might expect. For most adults, the touchstone for “economic disaster” in our country is the 2007-2009 “Great Recession” – a long, slow slog through high unemployment … [Read more...] about The Pandemic, the Recession, and Hunger: What We’ve Learned
When coronavirus passes, hunger will persist
At Second Harvest, we’ve distributed pantry staples after hurricanes, floods, fires and tornadoes, dealt with the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, and kept families fed during the Great Recession. None of that compares to COVID-19. Imagine feeding every person in a fully packed Amway Center. Now imagine doing it 15 times in one day. That’s enough food for 300,000 meals … [Read more...] about When coronavirus passes, hunger will persist
