Second Harvest Food Bank asks community for help during Hunger Action Month

The Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is asking the community for help to combat hunger relief in September. 

With rising prices and heightened demand for food assistance, the food bank is asking for the community’s support to “Stock the Shelves” during September for Hunger Action Month.

According to the nonprofit, the food bank distributes enough food for 250,000 meals ever day– and it’s not enough.

“The community continues to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and with added pressures from rising inflation, the need for food assistance across Central Florida remains elevated,” Derrick Chubbs, president and CEO at Second Harvest, said. “We have challenged ourselves and the community to be part of the solution. Everyone can make a difference – whether that’s by donating, advocating, volunteering or educating yourself.”

The month-long effort encourages Central Floridians to take action for hunger relief in several ways including donating 30 non-perishable food items representing each day of the month, hosting a virtual food drive, wearing orange on Sept. 23 for Hunger Action Day, donating $30 for 30 days of hunger and even volunteering at Second Harvest’s warehouse or Mercy Kitchen.

A full list of ways to get involved can be found here. 

In addition, Second Harvest will host two upcoming “Food for Thought” tours where the community is invited to take a behind-the-scenes look at the organization’s hunger relief operations.

The first event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 7.

The second event will take places from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 14. 

Both events will take place at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, located at 411 Mercy Drive.

To sign up for the "Food for Thought" tours, click here. 

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