You Are Feeding Families and Futures

“I’m just trying to make things work out,” explains Paula, a single mom juggling work, school and busy kids. Root causes of hunger, like lack of affordable housing, education or chronic illness, make it nearly impossible for families like Paula’s to keep up with the rising rent, utilities and food costs. When push comes to shove, the grocery budget gets trimmed to keep a roof overhead, the lights on and the water running.

Donna’s Story

Donna has always been a caregiver, devoting her life to nursing and tending to countless patients. Today, her most important patient is her husband, Jim, whose health is failing, and he can no longer work.

She never thought she would be on the receiving end of the kindness and care she has extended to others.

Second Harvest’s Benefits Connection Program Marks 15 Years of Community Impact

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida launched its Benefits Connection Program at the peak of the Great Recession. Connecting people to food assistance benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was a new approach for the Food Bank. Still, with thousands of workers unemployed, it was a vital resource to help keep food on the table.

Fresh produce for kids and families

Sticker shock and stagnating high prices limit the purchasing power of hardworking families in Central Florida. As shoppers opt for less expensive and less nutritious food options to keep their plates and bellies full, it has short and long-term effects on health and well-being.

“It’s hard right now,” explained Kelli at a Fresh Market event just before school let out for the summer. “The prices at the store are so high. We can’t keep adjusting our budget. Inflation just wipes us out.”