ORLANDO, Fla. – Hundreds of volunteers gathered in Orlando on Friday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks through service to neighbors in need.
Workers representing four of Central Florida’s largest companies and foundations convened at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, where they packed 210,000 healthy, shelf-stable meals for local individuals and families experiencing hunger.
The nonprofit 9/11 Day successfully pushed for Sept. 11 to be formally recognized under federal law as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, creating what it describes as the largest annual day of charitable service in U.S. history. This was Orlando’s first year participating in the 9/11 Day Meal Pack.
Brianna Mayhew of 9/11 Day said the gathering was intended to revive the sense of unity that emerged in the aftermath of the attacks 25 years ago.
“Today is really a day to honor all the ways that people showed up for each other without question, without thought, to do good for their neighbor. And we lose that in a lot of life in the chaos of every day. So, this is our way to do that and give people the opportunity,” Mayhew said.
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Major sponsors included Central Florida Foundation, Comcast/Universal, Delta, Duke Energy, Holland & Knight, Lockheed Martin, Raise the Roof Foundation and Target.
The meal-packing effort came during Hunger Action Month, as food insecurity remains a pressing issue across Central Florida. Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida reports that one in seven people in the region faces hunger, including one in five children.
All 210,000 meals assembled by volunteers were donated directly to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to support its efforts to address hunger in the community.
The program began with a moment of silence led by City of Orlando Fire Department Chaplain Crawford, followed by an a cappella rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
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