At the heart of Second Harvest’s success lies the unwavering commitment of its volunteers. Last year, the Central Florida community witnessed an overwhelming display of generosity as 48,511 volunteers stepped up to provide 131,136 hours of service to our neighbors experiencing hunger. Each volunteer’s dedication and selfless service have not only touched countless lives but also significantly impacted our mission to fight hunger, a feat we can all be proud of.
Each year, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida honors and celebrates individual, corporate, and special event volunteers. In addition, several volunteers received notable accolades.
Andre Reyna Youth Against Hunger Award
Andre Reyna, a young man of exceptional character, made a profound impact during his time at UCF. His commitment to social justice was evident through his regular involvement with the Second Harvest Food Bank and various local causes. Despite financial barriers, Andre believed everyone deserved access to life’s essentials. His memory continues to fuel the determination of his family, friends, and community. In honor of his enduring spirit, Second Harvest presents an annual award to individuals who exemplify the same selflessness and dedication to serving others as Andre did.
This year’s recipient is Liam Brasher, a young man with a desire to learn and a passion for helping others. He began volunteering at Second Harvest in 2023 and regularly invites friends and family to join him, even choosing to volunteer for his birthday celebration this year. From sorting food donations to learning how to operate a pallet jack and fixing the tape machine, Liam brings his signature smile and enthusiasm and leaves a lasting impression on all he encounters.
David Pearlman Spirit of Volunteerism Award
Founder and proprietor of the renowned Orlando-based furniture company Kane’s Furniture, Dave Pearlman’s name has become synonymous with his relentless passion for curbing food waste and helping people facing hunger. Few, if any, have shown such unwavering dedication to feeding those facing hunger as Dave Pearlman did. Rising before dawn, he would traverse the city, collecting surplus food from restaurants and distributing it to feeding programs. His commitment extended to serving on the Board of Directors at Second Harvest. While Dave may no longer be with us, Second Harvest recognizes his commitment with an award to a volunteer with the same determined spirit each year.
For over a decade, Evie Storlazzi has committed her time, effort and energy to answering the question, “How much can just one person do?” Her volunteerism has earned her recognition as a member of the 50K Club, an elite group of volunteers whose individual service generates enough financial savings to provide 50,000 meals to their neighbors facing hunger for three consecutive years. Last year, she participated in nearly 250 volunteer opportunities. But her passion for fighting hunger is not just about amassing volunteer hours. She regularly answers questions, provides directions to new volunteers and demonstrates the importance of caring about what you are doing. Evie even developed techniques to maximize packing food boxes efficiently and effectively. She patiently shares her meticulous techniques with others, so volunteer projects run smoothly. She is modest but mighty, soft-spoken but super-powered, she is genuinely humble, but the impact of her presence is humongous.
Going the Extra Mile Award
The Going the Extra Mile Award honors a volunteer who consistently exceeds expectations.
Over the last 16 years, Andrea has dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours to Taste! Central Florida, Ultimate Garden Party, and countless volunteer opportunities. What sets Andrea apart as a committee volunteer is her consistent commitment and unwavering willingness to help. Her positivity is infectious, and her ability to inspire others to join the fight against hunger in our community shines through every conversation she has about her efforts.
Most Inspirational Virtual Food Drive Award
Each year, individuals and companies organize virtual food drives to rally their friends, family, colleagues and community to raise much-needed funds for the fight against hunger.
One of those people is Steve Ferrell. For the last 16 years, he has hosted a lunchtime concert in downtown Orlando to raise awareness and raise funds for charity. Armed with a playlist, a microphone and a small army of sponsors, Steve inspires and engages others to fight hunger and feed hope. The most recent concert helped provide over 120,000 meals for kids, families and seniors facing hunger in Central Florida.
Immense Gratitude
The celebration would only be complete with heartfelt thanks to the Volunteer Captains.
These remarkable volunteers step up to the plate, assuming leadership responsibilities and lending a helping hand to fellow volunteers and volunteer groups. They mentor new volunteers, handle pallet jacks with expertise, take charge of projects as needed, and graciously cover for our staff to give them a well-deserved break.
Keith Willing and John Russell joined the 50k Club, a small but mighty group of volunteers who provide more than 50,000 meals to kids, families and seniors facing hunger through their volunteerism each year.
Thank you, volunteers. Whether mentioned above or not, each of you plays an integral role in fighting hunger and feeding hope. Your dedication and selfless service make an incredible difference in the lives of your neighbors. Together, we can create a world where no one experiences hunger.
