ORLANDO, Fla. — Giving Tuesday is this week. It’s a national day of generosity when nonprofits rely on donations to support their work. Last year, Americans donated a record $3.6 billion on Giving Tuesday. Here in Central Florida, organizations say the need for support is higher than ever.

What You Need To Know

Giving Tuesday generated a record $3.6 billion in donations nationwide last year

Second Harvest says each donated dollar can be turned into four meals for families in need

One in seven Central Floridians faces food insecurity

Giving Tuesday provides a major boost to Second Harvest of Central Florida Food Bank as they work to fight food insecurity.

“We can take every dollar donated and turn it into four meals for families that are facing hunger here in Central Florida,” said Greg Higgerson with Second Harvest. “This Giving Tuesday is especially important because we have matching funds available.”

Higgerson says Giving Tuesday is a crucial part of their yearly funding, money that allows them to purchase fresh produce, stock their pantry and support programs serving kids, families and seniors.

“We’ve all seen the prices in the grocery stores, but you can combine that with a lot of other costs that are higher in people’s lives right now, like housing and daycare and a number of other things that are really making it difficult for those folks that are just keeping their chins above water,” Higgerson said.

Second Harvest reports that more than one in seven people in Central Florida doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from. That mirrors nationwide trends.

More than 36 million people took part in Giving Tuesday last year, a sign that communities are stepping up as food prices rise and nonprofits spend more to keep up with demand.

“Support throughout the entire year is important beyond Giving Tuesday, and there is a number of ways that people can find a way to get involved,” Higgerson said.

Second Harvest says financial donations and volunteer support both play a major role in helping them serve more Central Floridians facing food insecurity.