Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is accustomed to providing tens of millions of meals each year in the fight against hunger, but this year, the need for donations is greater than ever due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent national survey conducted by Feeding America estimates that one in six Central Floridians may struggle with hunger this year – an anticipated 49% increase. In honor of Hunger Action Month, Second Harvest is asking the community to help “Stock the Shelves” this September.

The month-long effort encourages Central Floridians to take action in the fight against hunger. Second Harvest is also making it easy to get involved by featuring at-home and socially distanced activities, such as:

• Donate 30 non-perishable food items representing each day of the month
• Host a virtual food drive or FUNdraiser
• Wear orange on September 10 for Hunger Action Day
• Donate $30 for 30 days of hunger
• Donate your Buy One, Get One (BOGO) deals after shopping
• Sign-up to volunteer
• Dine or shop at local establishments, such as Black Rooster Taqueria, Action Gator Tire and Kendra Scott on select days; a portion of each sale will be donated to Second Harvest

Ways to get involved will also be posted on the nonprofit’s Facebook page throughout the month. Second Harvest encourages participants to share how they’re helping “Stock the Shelves” on social media by using #StockTheShelves.

“Now, more than ever, the community should come together to help those in need stock their shelves,” said Dave Krepcho, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. “With every donation we receive, we are able to help our network of more than 550 feeding partners serve 66,000 people each day across six counties. Every canned good, every volunteer and every awareness effort makes a difference.”

To learn more about the “Stock the Shelves” campaign, Hunger Action Month and other ways to get involved with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, visit www.FeedHopeNow.org.

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The new survey estimates one in six people in Central Florida may experience food insecurity in 2020. For children, that number rises to one in three, compared to one in four last year.

“The pandemic is creating a situation that we have not experienced since the Great Depression,” said Dave Krepcho, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “We’ve all seen photos of long lines at food assistance providers, but ‘Map the Meal Gap 2020’ paints a picture that’s even more striking. If every child experiencing hunger in Central Florida lined up shoulder-to-shoulder along I-4, that line wouldn’t just go on for miles – it would stretch from Orlando to Daytona and back again.”

Since mid-March, Second Harvest has doubled its daily distribution, disbursing enough food for 300,000 meals each day. The nonprofit started its annual Summer Food Service Program two months early, when schools transitioned to distance learning. In addition, the food bank started its first home delivery program, Bring Hope Home, which helps some of the most vulnerable populations, like seniors.

“We are grateful to our corporate and community partners who have helped us get this far and allowed us to operate at this level,” added Krepcho. “But this study shows the need is not slowing down. In fact, it’s getting greater – and we’ll need even more support to continue helping our neighbors.”

To donate or find other ways to support Second Harvest Food Bank, visit www.FeedHopeNow.org.

About Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
SHFBCF is a member of Feeding America – the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. SHFBCF secures and distributes food and grocery products to approximately 550 local nonprofit feeding programs throughout Central Florida. Last year, with the help of food and financial donors, volunteers and a caring, committed community, the food bank has distributed enough food for 76 million meals to partner programs such as food pantries, soup kitchens, women’s shelters, senior centers, day care centers and Kids Cafes. In addition, Second Harvest’s 16-week culinary program teaches foodservice-based technical, life and employability skills to economically hard-pressed adults. Second Harvest is distributing enough food to feed 66,000 people a day. To learn more about SHFBCF, visit www.FeedHopeNow.org.

The post Second Harvest Food Bank Addresses Hunger During The Pandemic appeared first on South Lake Tablet.