With every volunteer shift, Leslie feels she impacts the community.
In the last year she volunteered with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida at community events like the Thornton Park New Year’s Eve Block Party and the annual Ten10 Amateur RibFest and at a food rescue at the UNFI Food Show. Her favorite place to volunteer is Second Harvest’s Mercy Kitchen.
“Mercy Kitchen has truly become my home,” Leslie said. “The smaller, close-knit environment makes it feel special. Over time, I have met so many incredible people—both staff and fellow volunteers—who have made every shift meaningful. Mercy Kitchen feels like an extended family to me.”
She volunteers at Mercy Kitchen about four times a week. Whether she is helping with prepared meals for kids and seniors or packing produce or nonperishable food for distribution to families, she knows that she and other volunteers are making a positive change.
“Each time I am there, I know I am part of something bigger, and that the work we are doing is truly making a difference in our community.”
Hunger relief and supporting neighbors facing hunger are important to Leslie because she believes access to food should never be a concern anyone should have to face.
“Even a single meal can provide comfort, ease stress, and give someone the strength to make it through the day,” Leslie said. “Children especially need proper nourishment to grow, stay healthy, and succeed in school.”
Leslie does not want families to worry about where their next meal is coming from, especially at a time where food costs are rising, and more households wrestle with how to make ends meet financially.
“Supporting hunger relief efforts bridges that gap and provides critical assistance to people who need the extra help to feed their families,” she said.
Volunteer opportunities at Mercy Kitchen are available most weekdays and are typically labeled with the facility name and “Meal Packing” on Second Harvest’s volunteer calendar. To learn more, volunteers can also click on each shift to see a description and location.
