WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Shannon Diaz with Matthew’s Hope showed News 6 what their food pantry looks like at their Winter Garden campus.
Usually, the shelves are fully stocked with canned goods like tuna, Spam and Vienna Sausage.
“Since the pandemic, our donations went down tremendously and although it was four years ago, we really haven’t been able to bounce back to where we were. We have more donors than we did then but the quantities are down and the demand is higher,” Diaz said.
The nonprofit receives donations from different organizations but to keep the pantry full, Matthew’s Hope is using reserves to provide food for the homeless.
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The food pantry is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Diaz said they see about 120 to 135 per day who are in need of meals.
“We also don’t want our people to go hungry so that’s why we are dipping into that fund because we know people depend on us for their next meal,” Diaz said.
Matthew’s Hope is asking the community to get results by donating nonperishable foods, which can be dropped off at the warehouse at 611 Business Park Blvd. in Winter Garden.
The nonprofit also has a wish list through Amazon called Matthew’s Hope Orange Food Pantry and those items will be shipped directly to the warehouse.
“I have hope that we will bounce back and I believe in our supporters and the community,” Diaz said.
Food Pantry Needs:
- Bottled Water
- SPAM (Single Serve)
- Vienna Sausages
- Beanie Weenies
- Vegetables (Single Serve Cans)
- Peanut Butter (Single Serve)
- Breakfast Cereal (Single Serve Cups)
- Chicken Salad & Crackers
- Tuna Salad & Crackers
- Hearty Broth Based Soups
- Snack Crackers
- Snack Bars
- Instant Coffee (Small)
- Ensure Protein Drink
For more information on how to help, go to the Matthew’s Hope website.
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