“Every day I wake up, I'm blessed,” says Michele.
Michele is a wife, a mother and a devoted volunteer. She lives in Orlando with her husband, Bill, a disabled veteran, and her autistic son. She also struggles with medical conditions that prevent her from working. With the inflated cost of rent, utilities, clothing and groceries, there were days Michele went without food to make sure her son could eat.
“It was hard,” Michele recalls. “I was wondering where our next meal was coming from.”
One day, Michele went to a mobile food distribution hosted by a Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida feeding partner. Volunteers filled the back of her truck with quality, nutritious food.
“My husband and I are diabetic. We rely on all the fresh foods,” Michele explains. “If we didn't have you guys at Second Harvest, we wouldn't make it otherwise.”
Michele brings home a variety of food, including boxes of meat, fresh produce, and nonperishable items, all of which help stabilize her family.
Despite facing their own day-to-day challenges, Michele and her family dedicate their time to helping others, a testament to their resilience and compassion.
“I'm receiving too, but it feels good for me to give back,” Michele says, emphasizing the empowerment that comes from being able to help others despite her own challenges.
“You helped my family greatly,” says Michele, with gratitude. “Because of you, we're able to eat.”
You can help our neighbors have the
nutritious food they need.
$10 can provide 40 meals.
