Second Harvest Food Bank is distributing 300,000 meals a day across Central Florida through a network of more than 870 partner agencies in seven counties, transforming its major operation into one that feels like a local market.In Seminole County, the East Coast Believer’s Church food pantry in Oviedo is helping families stay afloat by offering them a choice of food to take home. Paola Acevedo, a single mom working two jobs, shared her experience. “I’m a single mom, I work two jobs, but Orlando is expensive,” Acevedo said. “Sometimes, like, getting groceries every single week is hard.”Acevedo wants her daughter to have healthy food to eat and enough of it. “I remember there was a time that I didn’t know where I was getting my groceries from,” she said. “I just started looking online because I don’t want to ask anybody because I genuinely felt embarrassed.”Eddie Lamboy, the backbone of the East Coast Believer’s Church food pantry, has made a difference in Acevedo’s life. “It’s always been in me to help people,” Lamboy said. The pantry allows clients to fill out a grocery list, and volunteers shop the shelves for them. “They control what they’re going to eat and receive so, you know whatever they’re marking on that list, they like,” Lamboy said.The pantry’s model, supported by Second Harvest Food Bank, helps stock the shelves and coolers. “It’s the biggest reason why we still exist, is because of that relationship with Second Harvest,” Lamboy said.Yolanda Cooper, who works in the school system and is a foster parent, also benefits from the pantry. The pantry offers a variety of foods. “My little girl loves spaghetti,” Cooper said. “So coming here and being able to get spaghetti and sauce and chopped meat, that makes a world of difference.”Acevedo appreciates the fresh produce available.”I’m able to get bananas, tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, all the veggies,” she said. This support allows both moms to feel better about how they are getting by. “It means my daughter can eat healthy food. I can actually make a fresh meal every day. It means a lot, and it doesn’t make me feel like I’m a bad mom because I don’t have enough to feed you,” Acevedo said.Cooper echoed the sentiment. “I’m a working mom, but sometimes you do need that little extra help. It means the world,” she said.
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. —
Second Harvest Food Bank is distributing 300,000 meals a day across Central Florida through a network of more than 870 partner agencies in seven counties, transforming its major operation into one that feels like a local market.
In Seminole County, the East Coast Believer’s Church food pantry in Oviedo is helping families stay afloat by offering them a choice of food to take home.
Paola Acevedo, a single mom working two jobs, shared her experience.
“I’m a single mom, I work two jobs, but Orlando is expensive,” Acevedo said. “Sometimes, like, getting groceries every single week is hard.”
Acevedo wants her daughter to have healthy food to eat and enough of it.
“I remember there was a time that I didn’t know where I was getting my groceries from,” she said. “I just started looking online because I don’t want to ask anybody because I genuinely felt embarrassed.”
Eddie Lamboy, the backbone of the East Coast Believer’s Church food pantry, has made a difference in Acevedo’s life.
“It’s always been in me to help people,” Lamboy said.
The pantry allows clients to fill out a grocery list, and volunteers shop the shelves for them.
“They control what they’re going to eat and receive so, you know whatever they’re marking on that list, they like,” Lamboy said.
The pantry’s model, supported by Second Harvest Food Bank, helps stock the shelves and coolers.
“It’s the biggest reason why we still exist, is because of that relationship with Second Harvest,” Lamboy said.
Yolanda Cooper, who works in the school system and is a foster parent, also benefits from the pantry.
The pantry offers a variety of foods.
“My little girl loves spaghetti,” Cooper said. “So coming here and being able to get spaghetti and sauce and chopped meat, that makes a world of difference.”
Acevedo appreciates the fresh produce available.
“I’m able to get bananas, tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, all the veggies,” she said.
This support allows both moms to feel better about how they are getting by.
“It means my daughter can eat healthy food. I can actually make a fresh meal every day. It means a lot, and it doesn’t make me feel like I’m a bad mom because I don’t have enough to feed you,” Acevedo said.
Cooper echoed the sentiment.
“I’m a working mom, but sometimes you do need that little extra help. It means the world,” she said.
Dining and Cooking