TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Second Harvest of the big Bend kicked off an accelerated effort Tuesday morning to provide additional food distribution sites to our communities as they cope with COVID-19.
Gratitude is the overwhelming response from hundreds of people who lined up to receive food assistance from just one of Second Harvests newly added distribution sites.
"It's a great thing that they are putting out, and try and support people that can't get out and go to work no more," said Tyrone Fields, a food recipient. "We got to leave our jobs and we can't work no more, and that's a blessing."
It's a glimmer of hope for people like Fields.
At Oak Ridge Elementary, volunteers say people were lined up before the sun even came up.
"I think it's really great, this time that people have a hard time," said Lida Pidilla, food recipient. "This situation, cannot get out much in the store, and we get big support from government in Tallahassee. We appreciate that. We're very grateful, really thankful."
Among the volunteers is Tallahassee city commissioner Curtis Richardson.
"I have done several of these now and the lines seem to get longer and longer," Richardson said. "The diversity of people that we see coming through the lines tells me that there are so many out there in need, and what Second Harvest and Farm Share are doing to provide food for these individuals and families is a godsend."
This is just one of eight sites Second Harvest plans to host over the course of the week.
Additionally, Richardson says that the Board has asked staff to come up with at least $1 million to help not-for-profit organizations, like Second Harvest of the Big Bend, that help support our communities as we recover.
Second Harvest of the Big Bend is hosting its second drive-thru food distribution event at Tallahassee Community College on Wednesday, April 15, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The event will be held at the College’s Student Union (Building 35) in parking lot M, 444 Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32304. For a full list of the next distribution sites, click here.
