ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, food pantries helped so many families make ends meet.
Today, they’re still filling that need.
Every Thursday morning hundreds of people show up early at the Faith United Methodist Church on Dean Road. A few years ago we were there to feature Angel Coleman as a News 6 Getting Results Award winner. Coleman organizes the weekly Faith Food Pantry supported by the nonprofit, Matthew 25 Project.
We went back and discovered there is still a growing need in the East Orange County community.
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Coleman looked out at a parking lot full of cars. “People have been lined up in their cars since about seven o’clock this morning,” Coleman said.
“We have roughly 180 to 220 people that are coming here every week. You’re working families, your seniors,” Coleman observed. “People that just can’t stretch their dollars. They’re having to find other resources for food for the month. We’re just seeing a lot of new faces.”
Coleman said the church food pantry has been in operation for years, but the need increased during the height of the pandemic. The number of meals provided has continued to increase.
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Pastor, Matthew Findley, says everyone is feeling the pinch but he sees it affecting some more than others. “Times are hard, and things are expensive, I know myself, going to the grocery store I’ve left with two or three bags and it can be $60 or $70. So folks that are struggling, it’s harder on everyone.”
Single father, Justin Santiago, made his way through the sanctuary. Volunteers handed out fresh fruit and vegetables stacked high on folding tables. “The kids are going to love this,” he said, as he was handed a bag of potatoes.”
Santiago has been out of work and says keeping food on the table for his kids, 8 and 10, has been tough. “There’s not a lot of services nearby,” Santiago said. “Even though we’re on a nice side of town there are still families struggling.”
Santiago said he also tries to volunteer when he’s here. It’s his way to help and give back. He helps people carry their items back to their cars. Santiago said he just got hired for a job in retail and expects to rely less on the pantry.
“I’m just trying to make ends meet until I start work,” he said.
Coleman said she’s seeing more and more seniors coming through.
On our first visit, we met Nora Brendel, 72, who lives nearby in a 55 and up community. She was picking up food for her neighbors. Brendel said the cost of living is weighing on them.
“Yeah, the bills keep going up. Everybody has increases of every sort. It makes them uneasy. You know, it’s hard,” she said.
Brendel said she’s thinking of making soup with the fresh vegetables she’s picked out. She says it’s a good way to make the peppers, onions, and other items stretch.
“Well, the inflation has made a huge impact with the increase in milk, eggs, dairy, gas,” Coleman said. “It’s a huge thing and the amount of seniors that we’re seeing.”
Coleman was originally nominated for the News 6 Getting Results Award by pantry volunteer, Fenna Owens.
“I felt so moved to nominate her because of the great work she does,” Owens said. “And she’s so humble about it.”
The Matthew 25 Project was awarded the 2023 Orange County Agency of the Year by Second Harvest Food Bank Of Central Florida. Second Harvest Food Bank Communication Manager, Erika Spence, said the award was a recognition of their efforts to fight hunger.
“The Matthew 25 Project are some of the most caring, committed individuals in the fight against hunger in Central Florida,” Spence said. “When we call and ask if they can help it’s always ‘absolutely.’ Every time.”
Second Harvest helped fund a new refrigerated food storage unit so the pantry could serve items like dairy and meat.
“It’s the smiles on their faces and the gratitude,” Coleman said. Then seeing everyone so happy when they leave here. That’s why we do it.”
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