One in six Central Florida kids is facing hunger. The summer months are especially challenging for many students and families who rely on school-provided breakfast and lunch for nutritious meals. This is where Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and its partners come in, ensuring that children and families have access to the food they need to thrive during the summer months and all year long.
Earlier this month, BJ’s Wholesale Club representatives presented Second Harvest leaders with a $150,000 grant, a beacon of hope for kids and families in Lake County. This generous funding directly supports summer hunger prevention programs at Lake Cares and The Neighborhood Center of South Lake, two local feeding partners estimated to serve more than 1,200 children during the 10-week summer break.
Families can pick up a pre-packed bag filled with kid-friendly, nonperishable foods, including oatmeal, fruit, granola bars, shelf-stable milk, and more. The food, explains one local mom, goes a long way to help families facing high prices for food and other necessities.
“The economy is high, and with all the kids in our house, they eat a lot, especially in the summer when they grow a lot,” says Sania, who works at a local home improvement store. “Every little bit counts.”
For more than 15 years, BJ’s Wholesale Club, through BJ’s Charitable Foundation, has partnered with Feeding America and its network of food banks, like Second Harvest, to help families facing hunger.
