ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – With winter break fast approaching, many families in Orange County are grappling with a recurring issue: ensuring their children have enough to eat when school meals are no longer available.

For countless students, the breakfasts and lunches they receive at school are essential to their daily nutrition. To address this gap during the school break, Orange County Public Schools has teamed up with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to provide thousands of meals to those in need.

On Saturday, Second Harvest organized food distribution events at eight different locations throughout Orange County, supplying meals to approximately 3,800 families. This initiative aims to support students who depend on school meals during the year and face food insecurity when schools close.

Greg Higgerson, the chief development officer for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, highlighted that even short school breaks can significantly strain families already struggling financially.

“As we approach the holiday break, many children who usually receive meals at school will be home with their families,” Higgerson explained. “For these families, finding extra money for food becomes a real challenge.”

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Higgerson said Saturday’s distributions reached hundreds of families at each site.

“At this location, we’re providing enough food for about 500 families, and across all eight locations this morning, about 3,800 families,” he said, speaking at Evans High School.

Many of the volunteers assisting with the food distribution were students themselves. Evans High School sophomores Gabrielle Chambers and Elizabeth Maye helped hand out meals to families throughout the morning.

“I’m grateful that we had the opportunity to be a part of this,” Maye said.

Chambers said access to food can directly affect students’ well-being and academic success.

“If they’re getting fed right and having what they need during the holidays, it can help them do better in school,” Chambers said.

Second Harvest said its eight distribution locations were selected in part to serve communities considered food deserts, where access to affordable and nutritious food is limited.

Higgerson said providing healthy food options, including fresh fruits and vegetables, is a priority during distributions.

“To be able to bring this kind of resource into that community at a time of year when they’re going to be struggling is great,” he said.

The need for food assistance, Higgerson added, spans the entire Orange County school district.

“About 65% of students across the district qualify for free or reduced lunch,” he said. “That’s literally every school, no matter where they’re located.”

Families who missed Saturday’s food distribution can find information about upcoming food drives here.