Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Orange County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services set out on December 14 to provide meals – and hope – for the holidays at the 15th annual holiday food drop. Students heading home for the two-week holiday not only take a break from homework and tests, they also leave behind free, school-provided meals, making the need for assistance even greater during this time of the year.
Student leaders, volunteers and community members gathered at nine schools across Orange County to distribute nonperishable food, including:
- Nonperishable items: Stuffing mix, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, canned green beans, yams and mixed vegetables
- Fresh produce: Sweet potatoes, butternut squash, zucchini, cabbage, potatoes and onions
- A holiday ham or turkey
Throughout the morning, there were continuous moments of joy and relief as volunteers loaded groceries into the cars in line, sending holiday well wishes to each family. At the end of the event, 3,400 families received enough food to provide 174,667 meals.
Thanks to financial support from Orange County Government, First United Methodist Church of Orlando and community volunteers, families across Orange County can gather to share warm meals and create heartfelt memories this holiday season.
Thank you for spreading cheer through meals and hope!
1 in 6 Central Florida kids is facing hunger this holiday season.
Your $10 gift can provide 40 meals and hope.
