Returning for its 25th year, Orlando’s Taste of the Nation will take place August 9 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. The event celebrates Orlando’s culinary excellence and benefits Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Click here to purchase your tickets!
Today we’re taking a break from the Orlando dining scene to highlight volunteer opportunities with the Coalition for the Homeless. We recently visited their downtown campus and were completely blown away by their daily efforts to transform the lives of homeless men, women and children.
Coalition for the Homeless provides crucial services to help end the crisis of homelessness. Every day, the Coalition helps an average of 650 homeless individuals, about 200 are children. Those are staggering numbers, so we started thinking, who provides food for everyone and how?
The onsite team provided us a variety of ways to help our neighbors in need. If you can’t make it to Taste of the Nation, consider one of these options. You’ll never regret the time spent serving someone in need.
1. Food Donations
- Not every meal is sponsored or served by a community group, so having a stocked pantry is imperative.
- Immediate needs: canned/frozen fruit and vegetables, whole and 1% milk, instant potatoes, cereal, spices in bulk.
- Items can be dropped off Monday-Saturday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., at 639 West Central Blvd, Orlando.
2. Kitchen Supplies
- Just as you need tools in your own kitchen, the Coalition needs supplies to operate neat and sanitary kitchens and dining rooms.
- Paper towels, napkins, foil, plastic wrap & storage bags
- Spray bottles, mops, brooms, dustpans, household cleaners
- Hand soap and dish detergent
- Large and small garbage bags
- Coffee mugs (new or used)
3. Meal Service
- The Men’s Service Center offers new volunteer opportunities such as groups sponsoring or serving breakfast. There are also individual opportunities to assist in the dining room.
- Option to cook a meal at your location, bring to the Coalition and serve onsite
- Sponsor a meal or several meals.
- Serve a routine breakfast, dinner or special lunch.
- Make sandwiches for bagged lunches.
- Contact Mary Vevera at marty.vevera@cflhomeless.org or 407-872-5784 for more details. Click here for more details as well.
Coalition for the Homeless served over 300,000 meals last year. With the opening of their new Men’s Service Center, they are poised to serve even more this year. Look through your kitchen for donations or grab a group of friends and plan a few hours to serve!
And see you at Taste of the Nation!
Photo Credit: Coalition for the Homeless Central Florida