Pilot Meal Program Launched in Lake County to Address Summer Hunger

Title: Second Harvest Food Bank Implements Innovative Summer Food Service Program in Lake County

As summer unfolds in Central Florida, while many children revel in the long-awaited break from school, a worrying trend emerges: an increased risk of hunger among those who rely on school-provided meals. In response to this pressing issue, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida has initiated a pioneering pilot program aimed at catering specifically to families in rural communities in Lake County. This innovative approach is designed to alleviate the food insecurity experienced by thousands of children during the summer months.

For years, Second Harvest has been committed to addressing food scarcity, particularly among vulnerable populations. Traditionally, the organization provides meals through partner sites where children participate in summer programs, ensuring they can access nutritious breakfast and lunch meals. This summer, however, Second Harvest is testing a more adaptable model that has the potential to revolutionize meal access for families. Instead of requiring children to attend specific programs, families can visit one of two designated locations once a week to collect meal boxes. Each box contains 14 complete meals—seven breakfasts and seven lunches—sufficient to sustain a child for an entire week.

At a recent distribution event, the impact of this program was clearly demonstrated, as 211 children were provided with meal boxes, representing nearly 3,000 meals distributed in a single day. The financing for these meal programs is generously supported by No Kid Hungry Florida, an initiative that emphasizes accessibility in food distribution. Program Manager Joshua Proffit highlighted the success of the initiative, stating, “Families in rural communities often experience additional challenges when it comes to accessing resources such as summer meal programs. That’s why flexible meal options are so important to ensure more kids receive the nutrition they need, no matter where they live.”

The pilot initiative not only addresses the immediate needs of children during the summer months but also lays the groundwork for future outreach efforts. If successful, this model could serve as a blueprint for expanding the reach of food assistance programs to other underserved areas across Florida, tackling the ongoing challenge of food insecurity.

As Second Harvest continues to fine-tune this program, the organization remains dedicated to its core mission of feeding hope and addressing hunger in Central Florida. For those interested in supporting Second Harvest’s initiatives or wishing to learn more about their efforts, additional information is available at FeedHopeNow.org.

Through such strategic innovations, Second Harvest Food Bank not only demonstrates its commitment to alleviating hunger but also accentuates the importance of community cooperation in addressing food insecurity, particularly during the summer months when children are most vulnerable. The success of this pilot program highlights the critical need for comprehensive solutions to ensure no child goes hungry.