Branded Group Adopts A Pantry to Feed Hundreds in Orange County

The #BeBetter Team Gives Back on World Hunger Day

For most people who live in the United States, a full refrigerator greets them after a long day. However, for over 290,000 Orange County residents, this is a seldom and possibly rare occurrence. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County wants to change this unfair reality.  Recently the #BeBetter team, driven by their core value to Be Altruistic, assisted Second Harvest in its efforts.

Through Second Harvest’s Mobile Pantry Program, Branded Group “adopted a pantry,” bringing fresh food to those most in need. Second Harvest’s Mobile Pantry Program serves low-income neighborhoods throughout Orange County weekly by providing fresh produce and other nutritious food directly to families and individuals who struggle to make ends meet. This notable program distributes 2.5 million pounds of produce and food annually.

Adopt a Pantry offers a farmer’s market style of food distribution where clients select their own foods rather than simply receiving a package of pre-determined items. The food bank works with their various community partners to set up a location for each Adopt a Pantry event.

For our Adopt a Pantry program, #BeBetter team members gathered at Friendly Center, a non-profit in Orange County that provides stability, opportunity, and hope to children and families in poverty. There the team unloaded and organized 7,655 pounds of food.

“Participating in the Adopt a Pantry event was one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences of my life,” Dawn Railey, Branded Group Director of Human Resources, said. “It was gratifying to help provide much-needed food to the community while also sharing a smile and a few words with them.”

Nearly three hundred people in need attended the event. This included 141 adults, 39 senior citizens, and 111 children. This volunteer opportunity was unique for the #BeBetter team because they were able to interact with the people they were helping and directly see the impact of their efforts.

“Being able to talk with the people was what made this event so special,” Corey Perez, Branded Group Service Operations Manager, said. “It was a very humbling experience. It is not always easy for people to ask for and receive help when they are struggling.”

The food bank has a singular, yet admirable mission: to #FeedOC. This is more than a social media hashtag. In 2018, Second Harvest provided over 25.1 million meals to Orange County residents in need. They have also set a bold goal to provide 30 million meals by 2021, which will ensure that anyone who is hungry can have easy access to healthy food.

To learn how you can help contribute to Second Harvest Food Bank, visit their website for volunteer opportunities!