Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

A sea of white hairnets covered much of the Central Florida Fairgrounds hall on August 24, 2024, as more than 2,000 volunteers prepared meals for the hungry. Catholic Charities of Central Florida staff and volunteers joined Light Orlando in its annual event.

Borne from the food insufficiency exacerbated by COVID-19, Light Orlando’s Hunger Project seeks to feed those suffering from hunger in Central Florida. This year, volunteers put together 1,050,000 red lentil jambalaya meals. Seventy-five partner non-profit agencies including Catholic Charities then distributed the meals throughout Central Florida. Catholic Charities received 10 pallets with 44 boxes each — a total of 440 boxes for their food pantries.

Juan Vega, Catholic Charities food pantry manager, said he was proud to be a part of it.

“Now, more than ever, all faith-based groups should work together. We are fighting a bigger animal now, that of food insufficiency. And we are serving the same God. Together we’re stronger. Everybody can bring something to the table to benefit our neighbors.”

Staff Report