This Veterans Day, Second Harvest recognizes and amplifies the voices of individuals connected to the food bank who have served our country and their communities.
The reality is that in the fight against hunger, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida provides food resources to Central Florida veterans and military families facing food insecurity and works toward connecting them to the resources and benefits they need to thrive. Additionally, veterans who have served their country go on to serve their community through fighting hunger. These are their stories
Serving the Community by Volunteering
Charles was introduced to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida by coming to volunteer events with the Wounded Warrior Project, and he continues to come with the group every time they pick up a shift at the food bank.
When there’s not a Wounded Warrior Project volunteer event on the calendar, Charles brings his family to volunteer at the distribution center and at Mercy Kitchen.
“It does feel good to help others, and I believe that if everyone would do a part beyond thinking of themselves, then this world would be a better place,” Charles said as to why fighting hunger is important to him.
He served 20 years of active duty in U.S. Army and was a light wheel vehicle mechanic, although he said he had many different jobs throughout his military career that included being stationed in Germany and serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“The highlight of my career was meeting my wife after two weeks of being at my first duty station in Würzburg, Germany,” Charles recalled. “On my second tour to Germany, we had my son Daylen, and three months later I was shipping out to support Operation Iraqi Freedom for almost a year. It was very hard since my family and I are so close. When I returned, he was walking and did not recognize me. I would say even though there were hardships, I still had some great times in the Army, I wouldn't have met the love of my life, so yes, I would do it all again.”
Charles said the spirit of serving his country carries through to inspire him to serve his community as a volunteer. He also is a volunteer board member of V.I.C.T.O.R (Veteran Initiating Change Through An Organized Response) with the Osceola County Sheriff's Department.
“That spirit carries on through volunteering to help others, to do my part as a citizen and to make it a better world in ways that I am able to,” he said.
To encourage others to join the fight against hunger, Charles’ message is simple: do something.
“If you can donate money, even just a few dollars, every little bit helps,” he explained. “Volunteer your time at the food bank or anywhere that helps feed the community, every little bit helps. A lot of people think that the little bit they can contribute isn't enough so they don't do anything, but if everybody contributed a little bit, it would be a lot.”
Food Bank Career Fills Need to Serve Others
Jerry has worked in the Second Harvest distribution center since 2006, before the current building was even built.
Currently, he is a warehouse distribution clerk, overseeing the stocking of the freezer section of the agency mart, where feeding partners shop for food to take back to their organizations to distribute.
He said he’s stayed at Second Harvest so long because the impact he makes is important to him.
“I am helping people in need of food, and it makes me feel good that I am making a difference,” Jerry said.
Before his days at the food bank, Jerry served in the Army for three years. He was based in Fort Wainwright, Alaska where he worked on tactical wire operations and communications.
He said he’s always had a heart to serve.
“The same way that I felt when I was serving my country, I am now feeling like serving my community,” he said.
He wants others to know that there are 1 in 7 Central Floridians individuals facing food insecurity, and that there are ways to help them.
“One of those ways is to volunteer here at the food bank and experience for themselves the impact,” Jerry said.
Connecting Veterans With Resources
Throughout his life and career, Fred Robinson has helped connect veterans to the resources they need.
The Orange County Veterans Advisory Council Chairman served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1970s as a combat engineer in the Philippines and Vietnam.
He is also the former Veterans Liaison for VITAS Healthcare, where he helped veterans and their families navigate end-of-life care and resources.
That was where he first connected with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
“It was a great resource to help some of those families because they were paying exorbitant medical expenses,” Fred said.
He explained that many veterans don’t know the end-of-life benefits to which they’re entitled and come to hospice too late after accruing unnecessary medical debt.
In his current role, Fred uses his platform and connection to many veterans’ organizations to advocate for the food bank and its feeding partner, Soldiers Angels. Once a month, representatives from organizations for every military branch, along with the local American Legions, VFWs, DAVs and the like gather for the Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council meeting, and Fred talks about Second Harvest every time.
“I am making sure people know,” he said. “It’s a great resource out here for the community, and I educate them about resources available for veterans in need. I bring it up at our mayor’s meeting all the time because it’s important.”
He talks about the food bank’s Food Finder tool and how to access it, and how it’s widespread throughout the seven Central Florida counties. He talks about the Culinary Training Program and how it’s a great opportunity for veterans looking to better their lives. He also takes the opportunity to encourage people to donate.
Fred hosts a podcast called Operation Outreach, on which he has interviewed Second Harvest’s CEO Derrick Chubbs.
“It’s a platform that touches more people,” Fred said.
He said when he gets the opportunity to speak with veterans receiving food assistance, sometimes they feel as though they don’t qualify or deserve help.
“Everybody falls on hard times,” Fred said he tells them. “I have myself, but the thing is, this is a resource to help you get back on your feet and stabilize yourself. Other than being a veteran, I’m a humanitarian, as well, in a very big way.”
