Second Harvest Food Bank Dedicates New Distribution Center Supported by Disney
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Mar. 6, 2013 – Disney Cast Members were among a group of community leaders and supporters who joined Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida for the dedication of its new 100,000-square-foot distribution center. The new $15 million facility will provide hunger relief for thousands of Central Floridians in need.
The Walt Disney World Resort donated $500,000 to the “Building Solutions to Hunger” capital campaign to build the new facility that will help provide an average of 1 million more meals for children each year. Additionally, Walt Disney World sponsored the volunteer break room and work areas where groups of 100+ volunteers will sort food for school and summer food pack programs. As a special touch, Disney VoluntEARS designed and painted a mural inside the facility.
“Disney’s support went the extra mile. Their financial contribution, commitment to volunteerism and their Imagineers providing incredible creativity to make our space come alive is just phenomenal,” said Dave Krepcho, president/CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank.
In 2012, more than 730,000 people, half of them children, received emergency food in the six Central Florida counties served by Second Harvest. To help meet Central Florida’s growing need, the new facility’s features include increased warehouse space, increased refrigerator and freezer capacity and a community kitchen.
For more than 20 years, Disney has donated several million pounds of food through its “Disney Harvest Program” which collects prepared and unserved food from eateries throughout the resort’s properties and delivers it to the food bank. Disney Cast Members also participate in food drives and volunteer their time to sort food at Second Harvest.