Saturday morning, more than a hundred volunteers came together to pack meals for families in need across our area.

According to Heart of Florida United Way, the short film “shares the personal stories of Central Floridians who have faced racism, segregation, and bias throughout their lives.”

Stacker compiled a list of coat drives near Orlando using data from One Warm Coat.

Heart of Florida United Way CEO Jeff Hayward said it’s vital now more than ever to normalize the conversation around mental health and the struggles many people are facing.

Heart of Florida United Way distributed 4,000 thanksgiving meal kits to families across Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.

More people in Central Florida are dialing 988 for mental health help since the number was introduced this summer, according to the group that runs one of 12 call centers in the state.

Orange County commissioners are set to vote on a proposal that would help develop a mental health action plan, according to documents obtained by News 6.

It found 39% of families in Central Florida made more than the federal poverty line, but not enough, or barely enough, to make ends meet in 2021.

Experts and leaders with Heart of Florida United Way highlighted the struggles low-income families are going through due to the pandemic and recent inflation.

Orange County received $1 million from the Heart of Florida United Way, a gift that’s part of a donation made to the nonprofit by author and philanthropist, McKenzie Scott.

In 2021, Orange County voted unanimously to approve $315,000 for a study by the Heart of Florida United Way to do an analysis of the county's mental and behavioral health system.

Four Central Florida counties and the State of Florida are at risk of losing their remaining emergency rental assistance funds, which could amount to millions of dollars not going to help local families who need it.

Heart of Florida United Way is making sure struggling families across Central Florida have a Thanksgiving feast this year.

ORLANDO, Fla. – March is Women’s History Month and to celebrate the accomplishments of local women and to empower them to find even more success, the Heart of Florida United Way is hosting a luncheon Thursday as part of Women United. Women United is a part of United Way that says it fights for the health, education and financial stability for all. News 6 anchor Bridgett Ellison spoke with Women United Luncheon co-chair Annie Marie Howard about the event. But really, it’s about other women coming together to help other women and families and children.”This year, due to the pandemic, the Women United events are virtual. Click here to purchase or click here to learn more about Women United.

ORLANDO, Fla. – More help is coming to Orlando renters. The city is reopening its rental assistance program to help families who are struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic. It’s for rent assistance, not for mortgage or utility assistance,” Larsen said. Orlando City Council is considering adding more funds to the program. Larsen said they will vote on allocating a total of $2.3 million of federal CARES Act funds for rental assistance.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Cars lined up at the Orange County Convention Center Saturday morning as hundreds of families received free Thanksgiving meals. Heart of Florida United Way gave out free meals to 1,500 pre-selected families in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties. Michael and Patricia received the free meals through the non-profit’s second annual Thanksgiving Project. Heart of Florida United Way President and CEO Jeff Hayward said they provided families everything they need for the meal. He adds the meal giveaway is just another way they’re doing their part.

Orlando City Council voted on plans to use $1.5 million of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act funds to provide rental assistance. The city will partner with United Way to implement the funds. Requests for rental assistance can be made through the Heart of Florida United Way website beginning Sept. 9 at 8 a.m. City employees will assist the United Way in administering and overseeing the program. Residents who are interested in applying for the Rental Assistance Program are encouraged to begin gathering all required documents needed to apply as soon as possible.

Florida United Way weighs in on housing crisis during coronavirus pandemicPublished: August 7, 2020, 10:22 amJeff Hayward, CEO of Heart of Florida United Way, describes the increase in people struggling and needing assistance during the coronavirus pandemic.

Central Florida organization worried about 'tidal wave' of evictionsPublished: July 1, 2020, 1:31 pmHeart of Florida United Way President Jeff Hayward said he feared thousands of families would face homelessness with Orange and Osceola counties reporting some of the state's highest unemployment rates.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Heart of Florida United Way CEO Jeff Hayword said the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have economic consequences for Central Floridians. On Wednesday, he held a meeting with local leaders to discuss what he calls a housing crisis in the community. From March 17, 2019, to June 17, 2019, there were over 2,300 residential eviction cases filed in Orange County. In the same period of 2020, there have been less than 300 residential eviction cases filed. Tiffany Moore Russell, with the Orange County Clerk of Courts, said July though October is typically when they see a high peak in evictions.