HCA Florida Healthcare supports Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Orlando, FL — HCA Florida Healthcare is celebrating National Volunteer Month through its continued commitment to fighting food insecurity in Central Florida.
At least 80 colleagues from HCA Florida Healthcare sites of care across the Greater Orlando region came together at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida on April 18 and April 23 to help sort and pack food donations. HCA Florida Healthcare volunteers also presented a $20,000 donation to help provide food to families experiencing hunger. The events were part of HCA Healthcare’s national We Show Up for Our Communities initiative that occurs each April to address community needs through volunteering, making charitable donations and partnering with local organizations.
“The HCA Florida Healthcare family is committed to the care and improvement of human life, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a key partner in our mission through its vital work to provide healthy meals to families in need,” said David Shimp, CEO, HCA Florida Osceola Hospital. “We’re honored to support Second Harvest with today’s financial gift, as well as the service of our dedicated volunteers this month and all year long.”
The organization Feeding America estimates one in eight people, and one in six children, in Central Florida live in households that may be food insecure, which means not having enough nutritious food to have an active, healthy life. This year’s We Show Up initiative brings HCA Florida Healthcare’s total contribution to Second Harvest to $70,000, more than 5,000 pounds of food and more than 800 volunteer hours since the partnership began in 2021.
“Every day, hundreds of thousands of our neighbors across Central Florida face hunger. It takes a caring and committed community to ensure families have the nourishment they need while working to regain stability,” said Dan Samuels, director of philanthropy, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. “We’re deeply grateful for HCA Florida Healthcare’s longstanding partnership in this fight. They exemplify what it means to Show Up and support those who need us most.”
We Show Up for Our Communities is part of HCA Healthcare’s enterprise-wide focus on providing the quality healthcare our patients deserve as well as showing up to address needs in our community. In 2024, HCA Florida Healthcare colleagues from 650 facilities volunteered more than 38,000 hours and committed nearly $1.2 million to community partner organizations in the Sunshine State.