Having lived in Orlando for most of her life, Teresa’s connection with the community runs deep. After retiring, Teresa was searching for meaningful ways to spend her time and stumbled upon Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Intrigued and motivated by the opportunity to help others, Teresa decided to visit the food bank. Little did she know that the visit would mark the beginning of a truly transformative journey.
After some volunteering at Second Harvest’s main distribution center, Teresa discovered the food bank’s Mercy Kitchen, an expanded production kitchen that prepares meals for kids, seniors, and veterans. Witnessing physical meals being made opened Teresa’s eyes to the sheer magnitude of people they could feed. One moment stands out in her memory.
“I was working the assembly line, and another volunteer shared with me that these meals are what kept her going during her school days,” recalls Teresa.
This powerful encounter served as a reminder of the impact that Second Harvest has on individuals’ lives and how important it is to give back to your own community.
With her background in the food and beverage industry, including a long tenure at Disney, Teresa gained firsthand knowledge of food costs and waste. However, her food bank volunteerism deepened her understanding even further, exposing her to the harsh reality of hunger and her own personal food waste. “I thought I knew,” she humbly admits. “I shop differently now.”
But what truly sets Second Harvest apart for Teresa is the people. She has forged friendships with fellow volunteers and describes them as a hilarious bunch, always ready to uplift spirits and make every volunteering session enjoyable.
“Together we take care of the community,” says Teresa.
