During Hispanic Heritage Month, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida elevates stories of collaboration, hope, love of food and the power of community. The collective actions and voices of partners, volunteers and advocates connected to the food bank make a difference in serving neighbors facing hunger.
Rooted in Hope for a Strong and Caring Community
“Our heritage is a cornerstone of who we are,” said Lorena, President of Comité Cívico Ecuatoriano Central Florida, one of Second Harvest's 870 feeding partners. “We are proud of our culture, traditions, and the values passed down through generations, including family, perseverance and solidarity. Food is central to our culture, not merely as sustenance, but as a means to connect, celebrate, and care for one another.”
Comité Cívico serves between 800 and 1,000 families every month. Lorena explains that the food pantry is more than just a distribution line; it is a space where their heritage is honored and people feel seen, respected, and supported. The organization extends beyond food assistance, providing other resources to community members, like school supplies and holiday gifts for children.
“Our role extends beyond simply distributing food; we strive to be a trusted community connector, reaching underserved families with compassion, respect, and cultural understanding,” Lorena said, adding that hunger is deeply personal for her family.
“When we first arrived in this country, food pantries made a profound difference in ensuring our six children had three meals a day, instead of one or two, especially when our priority was securing rent to keep a roof over our heads,” she explained with gratitude. From a place of stability, she now takes a turn helping others in similar or some complex situations.
“Hunger affects more than just an empty stomach; it impacts health, education, and overall dignity,” Lorena said. “Knowing that we are part of the solution gives us strength and purpose. It fills us with gratitude to witness the relief on a mother's face or the smile of a child receiving food. This work is humbling, yet it is also incredibly hopeful. Every food box we distribute reminds us that we are actively building a stronger, more caring community.”
During the second half of September, when Hunger Action Month and Hispanic Heritage Month intersect, Lorena calls upon her community to support each other and emphasizes that every action counts, big or small.
“Hunger is closer than you might think,” Lorena says. “It affects families, seniors, single parents, and children within our neighborhoods. Supporting your neighbors doesn't always require a huge donation; it can be as simple as volunteering a few hours, donating a few non-perishable items, or spreading awareness about the issue. When we come together as a community, we have the power to lift each other up.”
Fighting Hunger From Childhood to Career
As Second Harvest's Brevard Branch Director, Jorge oversees all operations and logistics at the distribution center in Melbourne. He leads a team of warehouse personnel, truck drivers, and volunteers who support more than 80 feeding partners in Brevard County. He began his role just over a year ago, but he can trace his desire to support neighbors facing hunger back to childhood.
“Growing up in the inner city (The Bronx, New York), you see an immense amount of people in need, and I've always wanted to help or give back in some way,” Jorge said. “It makes me feel very proud having the opportunity to do so now in my role at the food bank.”
His grandmother inspired his love of food, Puerto Rican culture and helping others by cooking food for neighbors experiencing hunger.
“She would explain to me why it is important to help others,” Jorge said. ”She would send me to bring food to our less fortunate neighbors. As a child, I didn't understand why she would do this. But as I got older, I understood, making me feel humble and fulfilled that I can do so now.”
He said his message to the Central Florida community is that hunger and food insecurity are realities.
“The need is very real,” Jorge said. Last year, his team helped distribute enough food for 8.9 million meals in Brevard County.
“Together we can make sure families in our community have the food they need.”
Taking Collective Action Together Feeds Hope
The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) at UCF got involved with Second Harvest in September 2019, which Alejandra, the club's Sergeant of Arms, calls “the beginning of a wonderful collaboration.”
In her role, Alejandra organizes volunteer opportunities for club members, which frequently include meal-preparation shifts at Mercy Kitchen or food sorting shifts at the food bank's main distribution center in Orlando.
She and her fellow LMSA members share a drive to support neighbors facing hunger.
“I resonate deeply with Second Harvest's mission to combat hunger,” Alejandra said. “It's heartbreaking that anyone should ever worry about food access.”
Addressing hunger matters to group members because they recognize that it's a challenge affecting many in Central Florida. She said they believe collective action can make a big difference.
“Witnessing the smiles and gratitude of those we help while sorting donations, packing food and delivering meals brings us immense joy and fulfillment,” Alejandra said.
Individual group members draw on their different backgrounds and stories of family members for inspiration to fight hunger.
“Each person at our club has a unique background, whether they came to the United States in search of education and opportunity or were raised here by hardworking parents dedicated to creating a brighter future,” Alejandra said. “Together, we celebrate our diverse journeys and the strength they contribute to our community. We uplift and support one another as we serve those around us.”
Alejandra calls on others in the community to put themselves in others' shoes, saying,
“Together, we can work towards ending suffering, whether alleviating poverty, addressing hunger or understanding the challenges others face.”
