MOUNT DORA, Fla. (CBS12) \u2014 A Florida teacher who saw firsthand how many of her students were going hungry has turned an Amazon wish list into a growing mission to feed children across Central Florida.<\/p>\n
Meagan DeWitz, a third-grade teacher in Mount Dora and mother of two, started Squirrel Around the World last August after realizing her school’s existing food program could not keep up with the need.<\/p>\n
Her solution was simple: Create an Amazon wish list<\/a> and use social media to ask people to donate nonperishable food.<\/p>\n What started with one school has now grown to 77 schools and organizations across Central Florida.<\/p>\n Donations from people around the world are shipped directly to DeWitz’s home, where she sorts the food before getting it to families and students who need it.<\/p>\n See also: PETA demands Fort Lauderdale officials shut down petting zoo Capybara Caf\u00e9<\/a><\/p>\n “As soon as it comes in, it’s going out, even on the weekends, even on the holidays,” DeWitz told WKMG<\/a>. “And even in the summertime, we were feeding students, and it never stops.”<\/p>\n DeWitz said she focuses on nonperishable food because some families may not have access to a refrigerator or stove.<\/p>\n “It could be eaten right out of the package,” she said.<\/p>\n The need extends beyond students simply needing an extra meal. DeWitz said she has encountered children who are homeless, living in cars or staying in hotels.<\/p>\n “It’s rewarding, but there’s a lot of stories that I don’t tell,” she said.<\/p>\n Sabrina Hutchinson, a third-grade teacher at Seminole Springs Elementary, said DeWitz’s efforts have helped many students and families.<\/p>\n “It’s amazing. She helps so many of our kids and our families that need support,” Hutchinson said.<\/p>\n DeWitz said her ultimate goal is to expand the organization beyond Central Florida and help as many children as possible.<\/p>\n The nonprofit’s biggest need right now is warehouse space.<\/p>\n For more information about Squirrel Around the World or to learn how to help, the organization shares updates on Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n