The Southeastern Food Bank's Food for Families distributed over 1,300 meals for families in Central Florida. The event started on Thursday, Nov. 25.

Volunteers gathered at West Orlando Baptist Church on the said day to start delivering the packed food to families. 

A Yearly Tradition

In a report with WESH, volunteers prepared the food for weeks. The meals were part of the nonprofit's efforts to help struggling families and individuals celebrate Thanksgiving. 

The free meals were meant to feed the recipient families for the next four to five days, the report noted. 

Once the volunteers arrived at the church, they unloaded the pallets of food from the delivery trucks. 

Volunteers then loaded the food into their cars and delivered the goods to different families in West Orange County. 

The families include those living in Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden, and Pine Hills.

The annual event has become a tradition for many people, according to the same report.

Some of the volunteers have participated in the food distribution event for the first time. Other volunteers, meanwhile, said they have been joining the event for the past 20 years, the report bared.

Feeding the Hungry

According to the Southeastern Food Bank website, its mission is feeding the hungry and caring for those in need. It aims to show God's love through acts of service.

Those people included low-income households, the homeless, youth rehabilitation centers, people with disabilities, and senior citizen organizations. 

The nonprofit provides its services free of charge. 

Southeastern Food Bank also aims to spread Christ's love through the distribution of food.

The food bank said that many people are still in need, and it is their mission to help. 

According to the website, the nonprofit distributes more than 200,000 pounds of food each month to more than 50 partner organizations. 

Food Insecurity in Florida

The nonprofit said there are around 143,000 children in Central Florida who are suffering from food insecurity.

The report added that the state has the third-highest number of children who experience hunger or near hunger. 

According to the website, children who suffer from malnutrition are more likely to develop health, social, and educational problems. 

The nonprofit also said that 12 percent of seniors in Central Florida experience food insecurity.

The report added that many older Americans face barriers related to mobility and stigma. 

Food insecure seniors are more likely to experience depression, develop a heart attack, or have asthma, the website revealed. 

The study also said that millions of Americans belong to the working poor class. Most of these families had only one member earning an income.

According to the report, the household income is not enough to meet their needs. 

Because of this, many families find that they have to choose between buying food, paying utilities, or investing in healthcare. 

The Southeastern Food Bank stressed that they are more than just a food pantry. They strive to be a place of resource for those who have fallen through the cracks of society. 

They also assured their clients that they would not only receive food but a message of hope, as well. 

The nonprofit also worked to be an "extension of God's hands."

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