Central Florida families receive thousands of meal kits in annual Thanksgiving Project

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Saturday, Heart of Florida United Way distributed 4,000 thanksgiving meal kits to families throughout Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties in the fourth iteration of its annual Thanksgiving Project at Valencia College West.

United Way informed News 6 the 4,000 Thanksgiving meal kits it distributed have been essentially the most it’s ever given out for thanksgiving, including the objective subsequent yr is to extend that quantity.

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Jeff Hayward, president and CEO of Heart of Florida United Way, stated that throughout Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties, about 46% of families — or 350,000 households — are struggling to make ends meet. He stated on common, a household of 4 must make about $96,000 a yr only for their primary wants, in line with the ALICE survival budget.

“So we’re serving ALICE families, (meaning) asset limited, income constrained, employed,” Hayward stated. “These are people living paycheck to paycheck, barely able to support their basic needs.”

Vanessa Freeman was all smiles Saturday. She stated selecting up a meal package for her household forward of Thanksgiving subsequent week actually made her day.

“I just retired, my income is short, so I’m very, very thankful (for) me and my family,” Freeman stated. “I have a big family and they need to be fed so I appreciate y’all doing this for us.”

Ashley Robbins picked up a Thanksgiving meal package for her 73-year-old grandmother.

“She doesn’t have a way to be able to get out, so us being able to bring her food in, it’s a blessing,” Robbins stated.

8-year-old Audrey Newell joined volunteers Saturday on the distribution. Her objective this vacation season, she stated, is placing a smile on families’ faces.

“A like it when people are happy and joyful,” Newell stated.

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