ORLANDO – Winn-Dixie recently partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Advanced Senior Center to distribute 600 turkeys to local families experiencing food insecurity during the holiday season.
In addition to the frozen turkeys, the grocer also donated essential Thanksgiving food items as a part of its continued commitment to fight food insecurity and help families access the nutritious food they need to share a memorable meal together. Volunteers distributed the donations on November 6 at an event in Kissimmee, followed by a second distribution on November 16 in Orlando. Many families who benefitted from the donation said they no longer worried about how they would be able purchase everything for a festive holiday gathering.
“Our longstanding partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida continues our commitment to nourish our communities, especially families facing hunger so they can celebrate around their holiday tables,” said Shawn Sloan, North Florida Region Vice President for Winn-Dixie. “We are proud to do our part to support our Central Florida neighbors, both inside and outside of our stores, and to give with gratitude this Thanksgiving.”
With one in eight Central Floridians – and one in five children – at risk of going to bed hungry on any given night, partners like Winn-Dixie are critical to help Second Harvest and its network of 625 community feeding partners in seven counties with relief efforts.
“We’re in the midst of a ‘perfect storm,’” said Derrick Chubbs, president and CEO at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. “Many working families are facing drastic choices when it comes to affording housing, healthcare, childcare, food and utility costs – and sadly, the easiest budget to cut is often food.”
Second Harvest is currently distributing enough food for 300,000 meals a day, the same level reached at the height of the pandemic in April 2020.
To find out how to support the food bank or connect with a community feeding partner for help, visit www.FeedHopeNow.org.
