Stewardship of Resources in the Time of COVID-19/Economic Recession

The economic challenge that has been brought to our neighbors’ doorsteps through the COVID-19 pandemic is in a historic class all by itself.  The depth and scale of the crisis is affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands of Central Floridians whose ability to earn a living has been disrupted.  Many who could afford enough food just a few short months ago are finding it necessary to seek help for the first time in their lives.   The fragility of our service-oriented economy is on full display.

At the same time, the generosity of Central Floridians during these times continues to be nothing short of extraordinary.  

Because of financial support received during the pandemic relief effort, Second Harvest Food Bank has been afforded the opportunity to:

• More than double the output of our operation to provide more than a quarter of a million meals each day.   
• Develop new and innovative ways of reaching people with food, including new strategies such as home delivery for our most challenged citizens. 
• Purchase large volumes of food to supplement the millions of pounds of donated food received from farmers, manufacturers, and others in the food industry. 
• Invest in the capacity of our partner feeding programs by purchasing and providing them with additional refrigeration and other types of needed equipment.  

Among our most critical core values at Second Harvest Food Bank is the strategic and efficient stewardship of resources that are entrusted to us by individuals, corporations, foundations, and others in the community.   As we seek to balance the immediacy of the community’s unmet need for food with the sustainability of a relief effort that has more than doubled our food distribution, we are mindful that our community is facing a new reality that will endure well into the foreseeable future.  

Our pledge to the community during this historic time, and always, is that your generous donations will continue to be leveraged for use in the most efficient ways possible, to provide food for as many of our struggling neighbors as we can.   Together we change lives.   Thank you!




Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a Four Star Charity (the highest rating) on Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator is America's premier independent charity evaluator. Click here to view our donor profile.


Second Harvest Food Bank is also a member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that helps feed people across the country. Click here to learn more about Feeding America and this network of food banks.

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