Twenty-seven years ago, Central
Florida resident, Mark Anthony,
started Southeastern Food Bank
(then known as Bread of Life Fellowship)
out of his garage. The whole idea started
with a truckload of donated snacks.
In 1989, a man drove up to Anthony’s
lawn and garden store with a truck
full of Entenmann’s snacks and asked
him if he could give them to people.
He loaded up his own truck and gave
them away, piece by piece, on the streets
of Winter Garden. That experience
planted the seed for Anthony’s vision of
serving those in need, both in body and
in spirit, and the faith-based nonprofit
soon began to flourish. Two years ago, it
expanded into North Florida and hopes
for an expansion into South Florida by
next year.
How Does it Work?
In-kind donations are provided
to Southeastern Food Bank locations
through distributors, retailers and food
drives. A group of volunteers then organizes
the items, which are provided to
nonprofit partners at no cost for individual
distribution to disadvantaged families
and individuals.
The community comes together
in two Florida locations — one in
Ocoee and one in Quincy — to
50 Central Florida Lifestyle | August 2019
distribute over 2 million pounds of
food to more than 75 nonprofits in
25 counties across the state through
the food bank. This is all done for
one purpose that comes directly
from Mark 10:45, “ For even the
Son of Man came not to be served
but to serve, and to give his life as
ransom for many.”
How You Can Help
According to the Southeastern
Food Bank website, approximately
3,227,600 Floridians are food insecure,
including 833,000 seniors (one in seven)
and 968,280 children (one in four under
age 5). That is why their mission of
“feeding the hungry and caring for those
in need by sharing life’s necessities and a
message of hope” is so important.
“We want to inform, inspire and
involve like-minded people that want
to support us in some way, either by
volunteering, praying for us on a regular
basis and/or financially,” Anthony says.
On Sept. 21, Southeastern Food
Bank’s annual fundraising dinner will
be held at Wyndham Orlando Resort
on International Drive. The evening will
include a silent auction and a program
about all of the milestones the organization
has reached and continues to strive
for in the coming years. Attendees will
have the opportunity to pledge monetary
donations and register to become a
volunteer at future events.
With the generosity and support
of the community, Southeastern Food
Bank can continue to serve our neighbors
in need.
By Lyndsay Fogarty
A Message of
Hope
Southeastern Food Bank serves individuals in need, both in
body and spirit, in our community and beyond.
+ YOUR Local
Event Details
What: Southeastern Food Bank’s Annual Fundraising Dinner
When: September 21 at 6 p.m.
Where: Wyndham Orlando Resort
Address: 8001 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
Attire: Semi-formal attire is recommended
Individual Tickets: Free with RSVP
Corporate Table of 8: $500
Sponsorships are available! Contact Southeastern Food Bank at
407-654-777 to register.