Volunteering helps bridge the gap for families facing hunger

With every volunteer shift, Leslie feels she impacts the community.

In the last year she volunteered with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida at community events like the Thornton Park New Year’s Eve Block Party and the annual Ten10 Amateur RibFest and at a food rescue at the UNFI Food Show. Her favorite place to volunteer is Second Harvest’s Mercy Kitchen.

Food Assistance Helps Families Cope as Prices Go Up

Isa, a mother of three from Orlando, regularly visits Jewish Family Services for help with food, diapers, and other essentials. Over the past two years, she has turned to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida feeding partner whenever her family needed extra support. Lately, she has needed help more often.

Food Distributions Bring Relief in Challenging Times

The annual school break for students comes at a time when some federal workers are not receiving paychecks due to the partial government shutdown, gas prices are rising, produce availability is decreased due to recent periods of sustained freezing temperatures, and food prices remain high.

Courtney Found the Courage to Change her Life

Courtney learned a new career-sustaining skillset at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida’s Culinary Training Program, but the biggest change she experienced was in her confidence.

When she first started the program, Courtney expressed uncertainty that it was the right path for her and wasn’t confident she could work in the culinary field. She lived in emergency housing with her son and heard about the program from a social worker there.