Dance instructors from DGBEK Dance Academy are giving back to the local community. They are giving their free time to help Christian Service Center.

Happy Dancegiving

In a report with WESH, the dance studio hosted its Dancegiving Workshop. Dance instructors like Randall Nunez are using their time and talent to help the community. 

The dance academy asked their students to donate nonperishable food items. Those goods would benefit Christian Service Center. 

Nunez told the news outlet that this event was their way of giving back to the community. He added that he and his other colleagues were doing this for years. 

It was their chance to use their talents to help other people. He teaches Astro Fusion at the dance academy. 

Dance instructor Rukayla Winters said teaching at the studio was her passion. She added that she loved doing what she did. 

The dance academy offers classes for both children and adults. Dancegiving took place on Wednesday, Nov. 25. 

It was a chance for all dancers to share their passion while helping the less fortunate. Dancegiving is always held the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving.

Blue Bags Drive

Christian Service Center launched its annual Blue Bags Drive on Monday, Nov. 1. The nonprofit posted a picture of its empty pantry shelves on its Facebook page. 

It appealed for donations, saying that it needed essential food items to fill up its pantries. 

The nonprofit also asked for ready-to-eat food and clothing to give to the homeless community. Some of these items included easy-to-open canned goods, cereals, and peanut butter. 

Christian Service Center also posted a wish list for essential items. The Blue Bags would be donated to homeless people in Orlando. 

Volunteers from ZKS assisted the nonprofit feed struggling families on Tuesday, Nov. 23. The nonprofit hosted a Thanksgiving lunch. The families were served hot meals. 

Doing Part to Help

 Another food bank also helped struggling families celebrate Thanksgiving.

The Southeastern Food Bank in Ocoee’s Food for Families Program packed 1,200 boxes of food and essential items. 

The donated goods were given to West Orange County families on Thanksgiving Day. 

One of the volunteers, Nyree Walters, said she has been helping the program for four years. 

She shared that they do it to give back to the community. Walters stressed that it was important that everyone did their part to help. 

The volunteer said she and her church enjoyed lending a helping hand. 

Food Insecurity in Florida

According to a study conducted by Feeding America, around 45 million people in the United States, including 15 million children, have experienced food insecurity in 2020.

The data also showed that Florida ranked third in the states with the highest number of food-insecure households. 

Feeding America also said that the pandemic increased food insecurity among families. The data is higher in families with children and communities of color. 

According to the study, these groups were already facing hunger at much higher rates before the pandemic.

Many households that experience food insecurity do not qualify for federal nutrition benefits. They visit their local food banks and other food programs to help make ends meet. 

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