Despite the rainy weather, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Orange County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services set out on December 17 to deliver hope for the holidays at the 14th annual holiday food drop. As students head home for the two-week holiday break, they leave behind homework, exams, and critical school-provided meals, making the need for food assistance more significant this time of year.
Student leaders, volunteers and community members gathered at nine schools across Orange County to distribute nonperishable food, including stuffing mix, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, canned green beans, yams and mixed vegetables. A fresh produce box featured potatoes, cabbage, butternut squash, onions, sweet potatoes and broccoli. Each family also received either a holiday ham or turkey.
Watch a recap video from the event to see your impact in action.
“This makes a lot of difference to us,” said Sheron, a working mom who balances a retail job with raising four kids. “If I don’t have to buy food, then I could buy my kids something to wear or pay the light bill.”
When asked if the food would help her family over the holiday break, Susan, another neighbor in line, said, “It’s going to help me starting today.”
Throughout the morning, there were continuous moments of joy and relief as volunteers loaded groceries into the cars in line. At the end of the event, 3,400 families received enough food to provide 106,024 meals.
Thanks to financial support from Orange County Government and First United Methodist Church of Orlando and community volunteers, families across Orange County can gather to share warm meals and create heartfelt memories.
Thank you for spreading cheer through meals and hope this holiday season.
1 in 5 Central Florida kids is facing hunger this holiday season.
Your $10 gift can provide 40 meals and hope.
