Second Harvest Food Bank – Addressing Food Insecurity: Orlando, FL
On Saturday, August 9th, approximately 11 members of the Sathya Sai Baba group of Orlando dedicated three hours of selfless service at the local Second Harvest Food Bank. Their efforts were part of a hands‑on project addressing food insecurity in the community, where one in seven people experiences hunger.
The volunteer team included SSE students, parents, young adults, and group members, all working side‑by‑side with other community volunteers in the food bank warehouse. Together, they tackled the important task of sorting 50‑pound sacks of potatoes and repacking them into family‑sized, netted bags suitable for distribution.
An essential part of the process involved separating spoiled potatoes, which were collected in a large container to be sent to a hog farm for animal feed. Volunteers found joy in knowing that even the partially spoiled potatoes contributed to sustainability, ensuring that nothing went to waste.
By the end of the day, the filled netted bags were tied and stacked into large distribution cartons. The total weight of potatoes packed and ready for families in need was close to 20,000 pounds — a remarkable contribution to the fight against hunger.
As Sathya Sai Baba reminds us, “Service to man is service to God.” This project was a meaningful opportunity for the Orlando group to embody that message. Time spent addressing hunger in the community proved to be both fulfilling and impactful, strengthening the group’s sense of unity and purpose while contributing to a vital cause