A Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida feeding partner that serves thousands of neighbors every month has expanded its reach in east Orange County.
Catholic Charities opened its newest location this summer with the East Market at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
“It has the potential to get really big,” said Juan, Director of Food Ministries for Catholic Charities of Central Florida. “There’s a senior population that’s big and steady, and there’s a lot of silent hunger in that group. Some don’t drive or have family, and we have to find a way to get to them. There is a lot of homelessness in the area, and it is a fast-growing area of Central Florida.”
The food pantry’s proximity to the University of Central Florida is also why it is in an important location.
“There are 70,000-plus UCF students,” Juan said. “I know that students face food insecurity with low or no income.”
Catholic Charities took over operations of the church’s existing food ministry and remodeled the pantry space to be more functional. By removing a wall, they added an adjoining warehouse to its footprint to add storage capacity.
Volunteers can now pack bags of food in the pantry instead of using the church’s fellowship hall. Juan also redesigned the distribution method – neighbors now walk up to a window to register and then bags of food are placed through another window for the neighbor and volunteers to walk to cars.
“We installed new windows that open to the side,” said Vicky, who leads the pantry operations. “It helps keep everything cool. I love the change. I think it’s great.”
The pantry is now able to distribute fresh produce in addition to shelf-stable items because of its new coolers and freezers. It is also in the process of joining Second Harvest’s Retail Rescue program and to be able to distribute meat, dairy and other perishable foods.
With all the changes, more neighbors have already been showing up to distributions.
Olga, an Orlando resident, cannot drive or lift anything heavy. Her sister or a friend takes her to pick up food from the pantry.
“This is better for me,” she said. “It helps me a lot because I can’t carry so much.”
She said she is grateful for everything she receives, including the fresh fruits and vegetables and shelf-stable items like rice, beans, tuna fish, canned goods and soup.
“The cans, the cereal, the produce – I use everything they give me,” Olga said. “I appreciate it.”
Before Catholic Charities reworked the existing pantry and its systems, the church was serving about 35 families a week. After the reopening, the pantry served 107 families in its second week.
“The focus will continue to be a constant solution for everyone and a place of hope,” Juan said. “No matter what, we will take care of you.”
