OCOEE, Fla. \u2013 As gas and grocery prices continue to rise, more families across Central Florida are turning to food assistance \u2014 including some who say they never expected to need it.<\/p>\n
At a weekend food drive in West Orlando, boxes that appeared to be filled with bananas instead held a mix of groceries and household essentials, from cereal and coffee to sparkling water, all intended for families struggling to make ends meet.<\/p>\n
The distribution was organized by Southeastern Food Bank, a nonprofit focused on reaching some of the region\u2019s most vulnerable residents.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe actually find the neediest mobile home parks, apartments and streets,\u201d said Mark Anthony, the organization\u2019s CEO and founder. \u201cWe deliver to their door groceries and also toiletries.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anthony and his team hosted the event Saturday morning at West Orlando Baptist, but unlike traditional food drives, this effort relies on volunteers to bring supplies directly to families.<\/p>\n
With rising fuel and food costs creating additional barriers, Anthony said the goal is to reach people who may not be able to travel for help.<\/p>\n
\u201cI imagine some of these boxes are worth about $100 in groceries,\u201d he said. \u201cIt really gives them a lift, especially seniors on fixed incomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anthony said the need has grown in recent weeks, as higher prices continue to strain household budgets. He recalled an emotional message from one recipient.<\/p>\n
\u201cI actually had somebody call me and leave a message for over a minute crying, saying how much she needed it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt really rocked me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Volunteers like Leon and Sherri Johnson spent the morning loading their vehicles with boxes \u2014 sometimes fitting up to 15 at a time \u2014 before heading out to deliver them across the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter what the gas prices are,\u201d Sherri Johnson said. \u201cIf we can afford it, then why not come out and help people that maybe can\u2019t afford to get out to get a meal?\u201d<\/p>\n
By 11 a.m., organizers said they had helped more than 700 families.<\/p>\n
Even with some boxes left over, Anthony said the food will not go to waste. The organization plans to distribute the remaining supplies to more families later this month.<\/p>\n
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