One in seven Central Floridians faces hunger each year. One of those neighbors is Gladys, the matriarch of a big family. With prices rising and a growing grandson, she turned to a local food pantry supported by Second Harvest for help.
When Gladys got to the pantry, she saw she was not alone. People from all walks of life were there—moms with young kids, neighbors who had lost jobs, and multi-generational families like hers, all doing their best to get by.
“The pantry is a big help,” says Gladys. “And the people who make it happen are truly a blessing.”
People who give, volunteer, donate food, or organize food drives all help make sure families like Gladys’s get the nutritious food they need to thrive. She feels this service is especially important now, with today’s economic challenges. It helps her save on groceries so she can pay for bills and medicine.
“The food is always good,” says Gladys. She especially likes the rice, beans, spaghetti, and most of all, the fresh fruit—something she usually cannot afford at the store.
“The staff is amazing. So many people benefit from this one pantry. Thank you.”
