Three cheers for our volunteers!

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Last year 28,289 volunteers generously donated 95,133 hours of service to share love, kindness, and hope with our neighbors facing hunger. From preparing meals for kids at Mercy Kitchen to sorting food donations, bottling honey, and even helping at food distributions, you made a positive impact on the lives of others. Thank you!

Each year Second Harvest Food Bank honors and celebrates individual, corporate and special event volunteers. This year, the food bank recognized volunteers who assisted with the Ultimate Garden Party, Share Your Christmas, Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend, and other special projects.

Special awards were also presented to some of the food bank’s most dedicated volunteers. Please join us in sharing thanks and gratitude with these individuals for their passion and dedication to fighting hunger and feeding hope.

Volunteers serve in many ways, from donation sorting to assembling meals for kids at Mercy Kitchen and even at special events.

Andre Reyna Youth Against Hunger Award

The Award is in memory of Andre Reyna, a very special young man. As a student at UCF and frequent volunteer for Second Harvest Food Bank and other local causes, Andre cared very deeply about social justice. He had planned a life of public service and helping others. His life was tragically cut short, however, in an auto accident in 2009. Today, his memory and his spirit continue to motivate his family, friends, and many others throughout the community to get involved and make a difference. Second Harvest gives an award each year to honor Andre’s memory and to recognize other young people who are playing an active role in helping our community.

This year the Award is presented to Vincent Mannino. A recent graduate of Windermere High School, Vincent began volunteering in August 2021 two afternoons each week to complete his Florida Bright Futures Scholarship requirements. While the start of Vincent’s volunteer journey is similar to many high schoolers, his path would quickly divert.

After completing 100 hours, Vincent continued to volunteer and accepted a role as the youngest active volunteer captain. He became so invested in the work of the food bank that he recruited friends, neighbors, and even his own sister to join in the fun. Vincent has amassed over 250 volunteer hours in less than a year and plans to continue volunteering on weekends and during semester breaks from college.

Vincent and his mom (left) wearing their volunteer captain t-shirts. Vincent received his award from Mindy Ortiz (right).

Going the Extra Mile Award

During the Delta and Omicron waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an overwhelming sense of uncertainty floating around. The volunteer staff would look up and see a familiar face. “Al is here, so I think we’ll be fine,” is a phrase most food bank staff have either thought, spoken, or heard a team member utter.

Alfred “Al” Delio does not simply respond to needs; he actively seeks out opportunities to be more helpful. Al has stepped in and run volunteer projects while a staff member is on vacation. He has volunteered at special events and offsite projects. He even agreed to learn how to answer and direct calls at the front desk to make himself more available. Often Al will wait to sign up for volunteer shifts until he sees where there is the greatest need and inserts himself in that very spot.

Al literally wears his heart on his sleeve, and you will often see him wearing a fun hat, shirt, shorts, socks, or shades. If a volunteer captain’s role is to motivate, encourage, inspire or uplift other volunteers, Al fulfills his duty and then some. Al shows up when the going gets tough and stays until the work is done. Though he is not a man of boastful words, Al is more than willing to share a positive thought about the volunteer experience at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

More though than his words, his work ethic and 2,100 hours of service (since 2016) speak for themselves.

Al volunteers at the Orlando warehouse, Mercy Kitchen, and wherever there is the greatest need.

Dave Pearlman Spirit of Volunteerism Award

Dave Pearlman, the founder and owner of Kane’s Furniture, was passionate about reducing food waste and feeding people. He was a man who got up before dawn to drive his trailer around to the back doors of restaurants each day, collecting whatever they had available and delivering it to feeding programs. Dave served on the Second Harvest Board of Directors for many years, and the food pantry program at Jewish Family Services in Winter Park bears his name. Though Dave is no longer with us, he left a legacy of involvement, action, and hope. He proved the impact that one individual can have on a serious problem. This recognizes people who continue to work for others in the spirit that Dave demonstrated.

The 2022 Dave Pearlman Spirit of Volunteerism Award goes to Juli Aronow. A food bank volunteer since 2014, Juli began helping with emergency food box deliveries as part of Bring Hope Home in 2020. She has completed more than 50 food box deliveries and is always willing to go the extra mile to help a recipient. She always manages to squeeze deliveries into her schedule, often the same day as a request comes in. She had to be convinced not to drive through a storm to deliver to someone!

Recipients truly appreciate Juli’s kindness and willingness to ensure they have what they need. Her dedication to serving homebound community members is truly incredible.

Special Thanks

It wouldn’t be an appreciation blog if we did not express gratitude for Second Harvest’s volunteer captains. These selfless individuals raised their hand to take on a leadership role and help out the Volunteer Leads. They train new volunteers, operate pallet jacks, make thank you calls to donors, lead projects when needed and even fill in for our staff so they can take a vacation. You will see them at the food bank proudly wearing their yellow Volunteer Captain T-shirts.

Thank you volunteer captains for all that you do. We truly couldn’t do it without you!

Volunteer captains pose for a group photo at the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.

Finally, three volunteers were inducted into the inaugural 50K club, an elite level of volunteerism for individuals who have contributed to 50,000 meals over the last year. Congratulations to Al Delio, Steve Noppinger and Evie Storlazzi on your impact on the lives of our neighbors experiencing hunger!