runDisney Charity Spotlight: Outrunning Hunger with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is the celebrated charity of the 2021 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend.

"Outrunning hunger” is a big challenge in the world and it starts right around each one of us!

I was born in France and my family was blessed to receive help from the local food bank during our time of need. I still remember to this day how the box of food supplies was like a Christmas gift any time of the year we would receive it! As a kid, everything that happened was not necessarily connected the way I understood it, until later in life. The downward spiral of losing a job, sudden illness, missing child support payments, piling of bills and an overwhelming financial situation can pretty quickly raise stress levels in raising a family. As an adult, I chose to always support and participate in food bank collections. When I relocated to Florida, Second Harvest Food bank of Central Florida was immediately on my radar as an incredible organization that helps to provide food/meals to families in need. One day I had been volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank’s main distribution center to sort donations and that is when I noticed a sign that said “Not all heroes wear capes, some wear running shoes.” I knew then that I had to show up as an amateur runner.

This brings me to tell the story of my running passion that did not start until I moved to Florida but that I have since lovingly embraced. I started by participating in a local 5K where food cans were collected for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, and that introduced me to other runners. One training run after another, I started to increase mileage, left my comfort zone after the actual 5K warm-up that I need for any run and therefore the half marathon was obviously the next step (pun intended). What would be better than running that distance and raising funds and awareness for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida? Fast forward to now and commitments made, I realize that it will mean a 2 something AM wake up alarm the day of the race, but totally worth it. This year will be my third year participating with a goal to raise over $1250 which will translate to more than $11250 in groceries than can be distributed to people in need or equivalent to 5,000 meals for families in need. It’s important for me to give back because these are low-income families who are working hard to make ends meet, but at the end of the day may have to make a tough decisions like putting food on the table, or buying medication for a child when they get sick. I don’t feel anyone should have to have to make a decision like that.

The 2021 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend powered by AfterShokz helps create awareness of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and raise much-needed funds to support the growth of its mission. For every $1.00 contributed to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, up to $9.00 worth of groceries can be distributed for people in need.

For more information and how to get involved, please visit feedhopenow.org.