Ensuring Food Gets Into the Cars – and Hands – of Neighbors Facing Hunger

Mobile food distributions happen daily across Central Florida, often in multiple places simultaneously. One location is in DeLand.

The day begins like any other mobile drop in an empty parking lot. This time, it is at the Neighborhood Center of West Volusia, one of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida’s 870 feeding partners. When the Food Bank truck arrives, the driver unloads pallets of food, including fresh produce, meat, bread, and nonperishable pantry staples.

Volunteers spring into action to pack grocery bags and boxes for local families.

“I think about a family of four and what they might need,” says Cindy, a regular volunteer, as she sorts through donated food from a supermarket to fill a bag.

These bags will soon reach the hands of families waiting patiently in line with cars stretched for blocks behind the center. For neighbors like Joanna, it is the difference between being able to pay for necessities like rent or food.

“It’s tough living on social security, but whatever they give is a blessing; believe me, it helps all the way around,” Joanna said as volunteers loaded groceries into her car.

Waylon Niece, COO of the Neighborhood Center, says it is the invisible neighbor that he sees most often in the line waiting for food.

“These are people who might be working, raising kids, or caring for loved ones—but still struggling to make ends meet.

One in eight Central Floridians faces hunger due to stubbornly high prices for basic needs like rent, utilities, medicine and food. Local food pantries and mobile food distributions provide a much-needed break for kids, families and seniors who often live paycheck to paycheck.

For neighbors like Richard, who lives on social security with his wife, the food distribution is a godsend. “It helps us out really, really good,” he shares. Others, like Dorothy, add: “It doesn’t only help me—it helps others because I share it.”

And that ripple effect? It all starts with a caring community – people like you.

Because of your kindness, this community is stronger. Because of your gifts, parents can cook dinner tonight. Because of your support, seniors are nourished, and families stay in their homes. You are not just giving food—you are giving stability and peace of mind.

You are making a difference—one box, one meal, one smile at a time.