Each year, hunger heroes make a difference in the lives of the 1 in 8 Central Floridians facing hunger, and 2022 was no different. From responding to families impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole to providing nutritious meals to local students, you volunteered, donated and advocated to ensure kids, families and seniors had access to one of life’s most basic needs: food.
Here are four moments you made possible in 2022:
Students Eat Healthy with Your Help
Three days a week, Nikolas and seven of his classmates stock the shelves at a School Market. The market is a resource for students to select the food items they need, from a quick snack to pasta to make for dinner that evening.
“I’ve gone through hard times,” explains Nikolas, a local high senior. “People don’t think of food as something students need. Backpacks and pencils, yes, but not food.”
Unfortunately, 1 in 5 children in Central Florida faces hunger. You help Nikolas and others like him provide more food and meals to students and their families. Learn more.
Stephanie’s Story of Hope
After purchasing their home in Florida, unexpected structural damages and medical expenses caused the Carter family to spend everything they had saved.
“I never envisioned myself needing to go to a food pantry and asking for help,” says Stephanie.
Because of you, Stephanie knew she had somewhere to get nutritious food for her family when nothing else was going as planned. Watch as she shares her experience and gratitude.
Loving Our Neighbors
When disaster strikes our community, Second Harvest and its network of local feeding partners mobilize to provide meals to the hardest-hit areas in our community. This fall, Hurricanes Ian and Nicole brought devastating flood waters to Central Florida and battered the coasts of Brevard and Volusia counties. You made it possible to provide the sustaining nutrition and hope our neighbors needed through financial support, food donations, virtual food drives and volunteerism.
Learn more about relief efforts.
Celebrating Culinary Success
Graduation day is one of the best days at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. It marks the culmination of 16 weeks of hard work, dedication, and transformation for Culinary Training Program students.
The first in-person graduation since the pandemic celebrated the accomplishments of 19 students. To date, more than 425 students have completed the program and gone on to pursue new careers in the food service industry. Learn more.
1 in 8 of our neighbors is facing hunger due to inflation, devastating storms, employment barriers, rising rent and myriad other causes. It takes all of us – individuals, corporations, foundations, community partners, and government leaders – working together to provide the food and hope that make moments like these possible.
Thank you for your actions to fight hunger and feed hope in 2022 and beyond.
