VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – When disaster strikes, many in the community will step up to help.
Usually, it is nonprofit organizations or churches starting donation or food drives. In Volusia County, though, a ‘foodie” social media group has taken the reins of feeding those who need a warm meal in dark times, with many still without power or in flooded homes.
On Monday, News 6 met up with the volunteers who brought food and supplies to about 90 residents in the Magnolia Gardens community in Daytona Beach, days after Hurricane Milton swept through Florida.
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“These residents here just got their power back on late last night. It’s a senior community, so we know there’s a need for groceries and food. What was being stored isn’t good any longer,” Tricia Phillippi said.
About four years ago, Phillippi started the Facebook group called “Foodie Reviews of Daytona, Port Orange, Ormond, Ponce Inlet, NSB & Deland!” The group brought together food and restaurant lovers from around Volusia County and gave restaurants a place to interact with guests.
The group stepped up to help restaurants that were struggling during the pandemic with donations and spreading awareness for business. Then, when Hurricane Ian hit in 2022, volunteers from the group teamed up with the local restaurants and it turned into one of the biggest food distributions for storm victims in the county.
The volunteers dodged destruction and walked through flood waters to get to families.
“We pulled up, pulled in and the place was still under water. We had to park our van and walk through water and we were amazed at how many people were still back in there,” Phillippi said.
Now, the group is doing the same after Milton. Phillippi said they are raising money in the group to buy supplies for residents who may have lost everything and local restaurants are stepping up to donate thousands of meals for volunteers from the group to distribute.
“Just in saying this I get overwhelmed because it’s such a good feeling to see that there’s still love for our community. We don’t even know each other but people show up in the biggest ways possible,” Phillippi said. “If you see someone out, offer them a helping hand and like I even said last time, if there’s ever a time you can teach your family compassion, this is certainly the time to do that.”
Check out the Florida Foodie podcast. You can find every episode in the media player below: