Orlando dad Rob never misses a SOAR Cafe Family Night with his kids at Eccleston Elementary School.
“We come every time,” he said, referring to his third-grader, Riley, and sixth-grader, Caleb. “They always ask to go. It’s just the feeling of community; everyone helping everyone and understanding what’s happening at the school.”
SOAR Cafe Family Night is a one-stop resource fair. Each event features dinner, representatives from local organizations that provide resources and a discussion on a topic important to parents and students.
The event is hosted by Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida’s Bites, Camera, Action! program in partnership with Universal Orlando Foundation, Orange County Public Schools, University of Central Florida, Children’s Home Society of Florida and Orange Blossom Family Health.
Staff from Second Harvest’s Benefits Connection, Nutrition Education, and School Partnerships programs attended to connect families to resources and distribute fresh produce. Organizations that provide other services like healthcare and legal aid also attended, ensuring a wide range of support for students and families.
The SOAR Cafe dinner Rob and his family enjoyed was taco bowls served by Universal Orlando chefs, while participating in a discussion on assessments.
Rob shared that he formerly received food assistance from a Second Harvest feeding partner after serving eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Although he’s doing well now, resources like food assistance and the other things offered at SOAR nights are important to local families like his.
“I think it’s great that this many organizations are here to help people,” he said. “I come out and learn a lot about resources and the school.”
It was Derrick Sr.’s first SOAR night, and he wanted to attend to spend time with his kids and learn about what’s going on at school. He is the father of third-grader Jai-niyah and fifth-grader Derrick Jr.
Derrick Sr. appreciated the convenience and coordination of the event because it made it easy for him and his kids to enjoy a meal, spend time together and access resources they needed. He expressed his satisfaction, saying, “I like that they come to the school and are all here in one place. My kids got calculators and colored pencils, and I’ve already found out about dental and eye care.”
He also connected with the food bank’s Benefits Connection team to make an appointment to apply for SNAP benefits.
“This is a good thing for the community,” Derrick Sr. said. “I like all the resources they have, and we will be back.”
