In a heartwarming display of kindness and support, hundreds of people in need received surprise messages of encouragement tucked inside their holiday food bundles. Volunteers from Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida wrote uplifting words on index cards, hoping to lift the spirits of recipients who may feel embarrassed about accepting assistance. The messages included phrases such as “You are amazing” and “The world is a better place because of YOU!”
Patti De La Cruz, an employee at the food bank, emphasized the importance of offering kind words to those who are going through difficult times. “Life can be hard and sometimes somebody just needs a kind word,” De La Cruz said. “They’re loved, we’re here and there is absolutely no shame. Everybody at some point in life needs a little help.”
The event, held at Evans High School, was organized by Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and involved numerous volunteers, including 70 students from the school. They distributed over $43,000 worth of donated food, including three tons of ham, as well as boxes filled with cabbage, butternut squash, soups, and macaroni and cheese packages.
Derrick Chubbs, the president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, highlighted the importance of addressing hunger in the community, especially during the holiday season. “One in five children in our service area is at risk of hunger,” Chubbs said. “When we think about the holiday season, many of us, we think about food. I’d much rather our children enjoy the holiday season as opposed to them worrying about whether there’s going to be food on the table.”
Overall, the event aimed to provide support and assistance to families in need, with 2,500 families signing up to participate. Many individuals expressed gratitude for the help, noting that rising food prices have put a strain on their household budgets. Some even mentioned that they visit multiple food banks to make ends meet.
In a gesture of selflessness, some attendees expressed that they were not there to receive food for themselves but instead to help others in their community. Rachelle Ducksworth, for instance, came early to gather food but stated that she would give it all away. Stories like these highlight the immense compassion and generosity within the community.
Devoy Johnson, an alum of Evans High School, has been involved with the holiday food distribution event since its inception 16 years ago. Reflecting on his own high school struggles, Johnson said, “Over the many years that I’ve worked here, I’ve recognized a few faces from my high school days. I’m truly blessed to be part of the solution.”
This event serves as a reminder of the power of kind words and thoughtful gestures in brightening the lives of others, especially during challenging times.