ORLANDO, Fla. — The holiday season keeps food banks and soup kitchens busy and supplies are going fast.
Ladle by ladle, meal preps finished up Monday at The Daily Bread on Central Avenue in Parramore.
The Daily Bread is run by the Christian Services Center, and it provides regular meals for the hungry.
“The churches are closed. People are back to work, and these people we deal with, still need help,” Robert Stuart of Christian Services Center said.
Stuart said the task has more than tripled in less than 24 hours.
“Sunday, on Christmas Day, we served about 95 people. Today, we'll serve about 325,” said Stuart.
Another shortfall are post-holiday volunteers, who return to their everyday routine.
A couple from Norway, Runar and Kirsten Nilsen, along with their three children, are filling in the gaps.
“It's fun and it's good to help people that need help,” said Runar Nilsen.
The family wanted to give back during their Orlando vacation.
“I've never seen them work as good as a team as here so that's a reward for us to see,” Kirsten Nilsen said.
With one of its food pick up stops also closed Monday, the center leans on stored food donations to carry them into next year.
“We have a lot of wonderful support and we're happy for that. But the demand continues to stay up and the supply goes down,” Stuart said.
Operators said in addition to food and monetary donations, clothing donations are also needed, specifically men's clothing.
Thank you to the Nilsen family and Broadway United Methodist Church of Orlando for serving at Daily Bread today. We're...
Posted by Christian Service Center for Central Florida on Monday, December 19, 2016
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