Dawn

Dawn and her husband, Ritchie, are parents again. After their daughter passed away in a car accident, they adopted their two grandkids. They sold their business so they could focus full-time on the kids, taking them to grief counseling, helping with schoolwork and adjusting to their new normal.

"Our family has been through so much that I was embarrassed to ask for help with food too," explains Dawn. "I cannot tell you how much this food is helping us during such crazy times."

The first time their family received food was at a mobile food drop in Volusia County. Ritchie went alone. Dawn and the kids stayed home. "I just got in my car and drove to the church, not sure what to expect," he recalls.

Within minutes of arriving, he opened his trunk and rolled to the first stop where volunteers placed fresh produce, like oranges and potatoes inside. He pulled up to another station where they added frozen meat, and then another with canned goods and bottled water.

"There were a bunch of stops and at each one the volunteer would say, 'Thank you' or 'Bless you,' but really, you're the ones that deserve the thanks," says Ritchie. Eventually Ritchie went back to work, but it wasn’t enough to meet all of their needs. The food they receive helps relieve stress and allows them to focus on their grandkids’ education and well-being.

"You've helped my family out tremendously. I cannot thank you enough," Dawn says.

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