Volusia Pantry Steps in and Steps Up for Neighbors Facing Hunger

Leonor recently visited Our Lady of Hope Food Pantry in Port Orange for the first time.

Her vehicle broke down, causing her family an unexpected major expense, leaving little money leftover for food.

“It’s so helpful considering my circumstances of today,” she said. “Everything is so expensive, and rent is high.”

Many Central Florida neighbors are just one unexpected expense or emergency away from becoming food insecure. With household budgets already stretched thin, a vehicle repair, medical bill or appliance replacement can send things into financial chaos.

Ways to help, find help with food this summer.

As schools and cafeterias close for the summer, many children and families, who rely on school-provided meals for critical nutrition, are left facing the unfathomable: a summer of worry and hunger. The inflated cost of essentials coupled with the absence of critical school meals during summer break adds to the stress and tough decisions that parents face, such as choosing between paying rent and putting food on the table. 

By taking action, you can help food banks like Second Harvest step in to fill the gap and to distribute nutritious meals to children and families, ensuring a hunger-free summer.

Fighting Hunger on the Road

Sometimes fighting hunger means meeting people where they are, bringing food to their doors.

Abbott Helps Second Harvest Prepare for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Global healthcare company Abbott, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, and Feeding America recently combined forces to prepare for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

On Tuesday, May 13, more than 20 Abbott employee volunteers from the company’s facility in Orlando assembled 1,000 Abbott Disaster Relief Packs. Each box can meet a family’s immediate nutritional needs for three days and does not require warming or refrigeration. The packs contain Abbott nutrition products, such as Ensure, Pedialyte and PediaSure drinks for adults and children.