runDisney Celebrated Charity Spotlight: Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is the celebrated charity of the 2023 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend.

It’s been 7 years since runDisney initially invited Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to be their Celebrated Charity for the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, and every year we’re invited to return is just as exciting as that very first year.

For those of you who may not be familiar, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida collects, stores, and distributes donated food to more than 625 feeding partners in seven Central Florida counties: Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia. Through this network of feeding partners, enough food is distributed to provide 300,000 meals every single day. The majority of those served are low-income families who are working hard to make ends meet. Nutritious food is so vital for kids to focus and reach their full potential in school, seniors living on a fixed income, and families who should not have to make a tough decision like putting food on the table or paying rent.

This work could not be done without the help of an incredibly generous community – our powerhouse of volunteers, the feeding partners that distribute to our neighbors facing hunger every single day, individuals who care enough to help, and amazing community partners like runDisney!

So much good is done through runDisney when you’re selected as Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend’s Celebrated Charity, but one of our favorite pieces is the creation of Team Second Harvest. Each year runDisney grants Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida 25 race spots that are utilized by Hunger Hero runners both near and far that raise funds for our neighbors facing hunger in exchange for their race spot!

This year, we were able to catch up with some of these hunger heroes so they could explain in their own words why outrunning hunger is so important to them:

"After my first runDisney event, I knew I wanted to participate in future events, [and] fundraising for charities had such a huge impact that I wanted to find other charities to continue to join. I know that being a part of the SHFBCF team means so much as I make my way from California to Florida to participate and run for a bigger purpose than myself. We have no idea of someone’s struggles to obtain the necessities for nutritious meals. It could be that they do not have transportation, or their community does not have the amenities to allow communities to access food. Being a part of Team Second Harvest means serving in our communities AND other communities outside of our own to help alleviate these burdens and not allow anyone to go hungry."

- Katie Ann Nguyen, Team Second Harvest 5k and 10k Runner.

Other members of Team Second Harvest also shared why participating was essential to them:

"My first 5k was about 8 years ago [when] a co-worker and I signed up for a mud run and we had an absolute blast. It was then I realized running could be fun. I've always wanted to run a race Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend because I love my job [at SHFBCF] and I love Disney, so when I saw the opportunity to combine the two and raise money for my community I couldn’t resist. I have learned that there are so many people who need just a little bit of extra help to get by. With that, I have also learned that the people in my community are extremely thoughtful and giving. I have never seen so many people passionate about helping others. It is comforting to know that there are good people still on this planet. Working for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a very fulfilling job, and I am proud to work here and help my community."

– Sarah Ryan, Team Second Harvest 5k Runner.

"It's been my goal to run a runDisney race and I can now check it off my bucket list. It just so happened to coincide with the opportunity to donate to a worthy cause. I am amazed by how a few dollars can feed so many people. My hope is that Team Second Harvest will make a difference to outrun hunger."

– Michelle Boettcher, Team Second Harvest Half-Marathon Runner.

A very special "Thank You!" to our Hunger Heroes! Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida could not be more grateful for runDisney and our amazing volunteers and runners for joining together to help our community tremendously. On behalf of our neighbors facing hunger, thank you again to every volunteer, runner, and guest, especially runDisney, for supporting and partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida's mission. We think you ALL are the ultimate Hunger Heroes!