“The rent eats first,” explains Paula at a food distribution event in Orange City.
She and many neighbors lined up to receive groceries at a mobile food distribution event in Orange City before sunrise.
“I’m just trying to make things work out,” explains Paula, a single mom juggling work, school and busy kids. Root causes of hunger, like lack of affordable housing, education or chronic illness, make it nearly impossible for families like Paula’s to keep up with the rising rent, utilities and food costs. When push comes to shove, the grocery budget gets trimmed to keep a roof overhead, the lights on and the water running.
The demand for food assistance has returned to pandemic levels, with enough food for 300,000 meals a day distributed across seven Central Florida counties. Thanks to you, hardworking individuals, families, kids and seniors can count on Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and a network of 625 feeding partners to fill their plates and pantries. With nutritious food to help them thrive, families like Paula’s can focus on the future.
“I really appreciate it so much,” says Paula.
Volunteers loaded groceries into her car, including canned soup, rice, pasta and sauce, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, bread and milk.
“If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know where I’d be.”
