As part of its annual Summer of Dreams program for homeless children, Fifth Third Bank hosted a volunteer event to sort, pack and organize non-perishable food donations at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
“When school is out, nearly 90 percent of children who rely on free or reduced-price meals lose that access,” said Chip Smallwood, market president at Fifth Third Bank (Central Florida). “Summer of Dreams offers stability for these students by providing two meals per day and additional food for the weekend.”
According to Feeding America, about 1 in 4 Central Florida children struggles with food insecurity – not knowing where their next meal is coming from.
“The need is great,” said Greg Higgerson, vice president of development for Second Harvest Food Bank. “But through partnerships and programs like Summer of Dreams, we are able to help some of the community’s most vulnerable children.”
For 10 weeks, Summer of Dreams provides homeless K-12 students in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties with breakfast, lunch, daytime activities, mentoring, school supplies and financial counseling.
During June, Fifth Third Bank is collecting non-perishable food items at all of its Central Florida branches. The food will be given to Second Harvest Food Bank, which distributes it to Summer of Dreams.
For more information about the Summer of Dreams program or to make a donation, visit www.TheSummerofDreams.com.
