Collaborations keep food delivery organizations going during pandemic

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is still providing 300,000 meals every day, more than twice the number than before the pandemic.

They’re just part of the many organizations that first teamed up during the COVID-19 crisis, and whose mission and purpose haven’t lessened.

For 11 years, The Picnic Project in Sanford has connected its community in need with something to eat. Now, 18 months through a pandemic, it’s working harder than ever.

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A mobile distribution with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida allows them to expand that reach.

The defending Seminole High School state champions provide the muscle, and a county commissioner provides logistics.

It’s just a glimpse of the 550-partner network across six counties fighting hunger with Second Harvest, which is on track to provide 100 million meals since the start of the pandemic.

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Two counties away, the Osceola County on Aging finds the demand for Meals on Wheels is twice what it was before the pandemic, but a critical lack of volunteers has been a challenge.

More than a year after they first pitched in to help last summer, several days a week you’ll still find at least three sheriff’s deputies making deliveries.

Collaborations like these in multiple counties show no signs of slowing down. Second Harvest said food distributions two to three times a day will continue indefinitely.

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VIDEO: Brevard Co. Meals on Wheels in need of donations The demand for services has increased since the coronavirus pandemic began. WFTV's Melonie Holt reports.

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