The Osceola Council on Aging is thrilled to be again chosen as a grant recipient during the prestigious 2026 Westgate Foundation Grantee Celebration. Announced in February, at the Foundation’s annual awards event, the OCOA was honored with a $10,000 donation to support our two food pantries and Building Strong Families program.

“Our Kissimmee food pantry supported more than 5210 families last year, furnishing food for seniors, disabled adults, and disadvantaged families,” said Ahmed Goico, OCOA Food Pantry director.

The St. Cloud pantry has an increased reach, supplying 1,534 containers of food distribution in 2025. With more than 2.3 million pounds of food served by both pantries, this grant will play a crucial role in helping supply food throughout the Osceola County community over the next several months.

Likewise in importance, our Building Strong Families program, a community-based initiative to prevent homelessness and promote self-sufficiency for low-income families with children, is also essential.

“These funding allocations will champion key services and objectives for two of our most important initiatives which are food and housing,” said Johnola Morales, PhD, DSW, LMSW, Osceola Council on Aging, Chief of Staff.

Annually, the Westgate Foundation recognizes community-focused nonprofits across the United States as recipients for the annual celebration. This year, the Foundation awarded $845,000 to 64 organizations across the nation.

Westgate Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Westgate Resorts, is a long-term community partner of the OCOA. Their generosity has spanned numerous years, from support after Hurricane Ian, to housing displaced Osceola County residents, to annual grants, and far beyond. Our organization is only one of many in which Westgate supports within the Central Florida region, with dozens more charitable missions in every single community where Westgate Resorts are located.

Over the last five years, the Foundation has invested more than $6 million to support Westgate’s resort communities. The Foundation partners with community organizations which seek to create stability for families in need, provide critical resources to active military and veterans, and develop workforce readiness programs around the country.

In addition, the Foundation will be contributing more than $400,000 to Westgate Resorts’ Team Member Crisis Fund, providing critical support to employees facing unforeseen financial hardships. The Foundation has also announced the launch of a new legacy scholarship in honor of Westgate Resorts Founder and Chairman Emeritus David Siegel. The David A. Siegel Legacy Scholarship will award up to $40,000 over four years to a dependent of a Westgate Team Member, with up to $10,000 awarded annually.

“As Westgate Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary, we reflect on how much we’ve grown while staying true to our purpose,” said Jill Bosley, Vice President of Westgate Foundation & Community Affairs. “For 25 years, creating lasting change for families, veterans, our Team Members, and individuals transitioning into, or back into, the workforce has remained our top priority.”

We sincerely thank the Westgate Foundation for their generous support of the OCOA, and overall work to support those in need, whether it be right here at home in Central Florida, or across our great nation.

For information on Westgate Resorts,’ Westgate Foundation and its impact, visit www.WestgateFoundation.org. For more information on the OCOA, go to www.osceolagenerations.org.