“I don’t know what I’d do without it.” It’s a common refrain among those who receive food assistance in Central Florida throughout the year, but especially around the holidays. Dozens of cars show up hours early for St. Vincent De Paul Divine Mercy Food Pantry’s biweekly drive-through food distribution, but November’s had more people waiting than usual. More than a … [Read more...] about Filling the Gaps With Food and Hope
Pantries
A fresh start thanks to you
It only takes a slight rent increase, an unexpected expense like a flat tire, or a visit to the emergency room to cause a family to face the unthinkable: hunger. For one in eight Central Floridians, that's the reality. Sania and her family moved out of Orlando last year to find more stable housing in Lake County. That meant paying deposits, finding new jobs and settling into … [Read more...] about A fresh start thanks to you
A Helping Hand for Seniors
When they retired, Michele and her husband moved to Florida to be close to family. Her son and his wife had good jobs and four young kids but needed extra help. “Things are tight for everybody,” Michele explains, adding that childcare is expensive, and that’s if you can find it. She became their nanny, a second career that paid in laughter and cherished memories. “I just … [Read more...] about A Helping Hand for Seniors
Feeding Hope Ahead of Thanksgiving
There are 600 Central Florida tables that will have Thanksgiving turkeys on them thanks to a joint effort between the food bank and a major national grocer. Winn-Dixie, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Operation Love Outreach, a local feeding partner, teamed up ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Their collaborative efforts helped to distribute 600 turkeys and … [Read more...] about Feeding Hope Ahead of Thanksgiving
Helping Families Thrive
Every day, one in eight Central Florida neighbors—and one in six kids—faces hunger. Amy is one of them. Becoming a mother is a significant milestone for Amy. She stepped away from her career as a professional chef to stay at home and raise her son. When her boyfriend lost his job, Amy sought ways to stretch their budget without compromising nutrition. She discovered a food … [Read more...] about Helping Families Thrive