by Marty Proctor
On Friday, April 24, local food pantry FAITH Neighborhood Center (FNC) ran a food distribution drop in partnership with Second Harvest food bank in Orlando. The Center volunteers and staff coordinated the distribution. There were 320 families representing 1400+ individuals and 600 children served. The clients helped Friday represent the most vulnerable members of the community at this time of pandemic crisis.
Luis Huertas brought the Second Harvest refrigerated truck loaded with 32,000 pounds of food to the Center on Timber Village Road in Groveland. The inclement weather prevented the Center management from being able to stage the food outside for easier loading and distribution. Luis and the Center volunteers unloaded the truck and staged the 24 pallets throughout the FNC building. “We had to make changes to the plan on the fly and at the last minute,” stated Center Coordinator Felicia Stewart. “We are so glad to have about 45 volunteers who understand the importance of getting this food to the clients. They also understand the importance of keeping safe while we are working together.”
Patricia Kry Executive Director organized the linear process where the food was gathered into carts as they passed 15 stations manned by volunteers. She then explained the flow and loading to the volunteers to enable them to equally load the 320 carts for the families. “It’s organized chaos and I am the Chaos Coordinator,” Ms. Kry added. She explained clearly the need for masks and separation from both the other volunteers and the clients.
Cars were lined up for over a mile up Timber Village Road and onto adjoining streets. “It’svery helpful that our neighbors are understanding,” Patricia stated. Client Mona Foster from Groveland arrived at 10:40 am joining the back of the line. “It takes time but we don’t mind and the food really helps. Everything went smoothly to this point.” She had gotten onto the Center property by 12:20 pm and was quickly loaded and on her way.
The process continued efficiently from 10:30 am until after 1:00 pm when the last cars in line were loaded. The food is generally put into the back of the client’s vehicle. The clients remain inside their vehicles and the volunteers avoid direct contact with them. “The safety and health of our clients and volunteers is the number 1 priority,” Ms. Kry reminded members of the team throughout the day.
There are many ways to help clients at FNC. Cash donations allow volunteers and staff to purchase much-needed food. The Center, through Second Harvest, the USDA and other agencies and partners can generally purchase food at a much lower cost than you can…often at less than 10% of the retail cost at the grocery. So your cash contribution goes a long way.
Volunteering is fun and easy with limited time commitments and a variety of task options. Learn more at faithneighborhoodcenter.com, call at 352-429-1200, or visit at 14727 Timber Village Road in Groveland.
