Central Florida Foundation Invests Up to $1.2 Million for Food Relief
ORLANDO — April 13, 2020 — As COVID-19 places an unexpected halt on the local economy and exponentially increases the needs of local residents, an anonymous fund at Central Florida Foundation (CFF) today announces an up to $1.2 million investment in SecondHarvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
The investment focuses on getting food to the people who need it most in creative ways based on the following allocations:
- Up to $800,000 for food costs including the purchase of food, costs for acquisition of donated food and production of meals through the Second Harvest Food Bank kitchen.
- Up to $100,000 in on-going operating capital to be spent as needed over 90-days.
- Up to $50,000 in research & development capital to identify new processes, procedures and/or partnerships to improve and increase food delivery to areas of need or to meet the new demand in existing areas.
- Up to an $100,000 venture investment in Bring Hope Home (Direct Delivery) program to scale the platform and increase meal deliveries.
- Up to an $100,000 venture investment in the Neighborhood Delivery program to scale the platform and increase food availability in food deserts and other vulnerable neighborhoods.
- Up to $50,000 to launch a new food facility to meet the need for added food volume
Safety requirements from health officials have mandated Second Harvest Food Bank to reinvent the ways it distributes food. In its traditional business model, the organization provides food to distribution partners who then dispense to their clients. Now, Second Harvest has shifted to also provide food directly to individuals and families using a drive-through and by delivering to local areas considered to food deserts. These new processes, while to maintain the health and safety of the community and staff, have put a strain on the infrastructure of the organization.
“This investment will be a major factor not only in the immediate relief effort, but also provide future impact beyond the pandemic,” said Dave Krepcho, president & CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. “Innovation is a must and this investment makes it possible.”
“Right now, every nonprofit must rethink the way they do business,” said Mark Brewer, president/CEO of Central Florida Foundation. “This new economic environment forces philanthropists and nonprofits to address community challenges in unconventional and innovative ways, and I believe this partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank does just that.”
CFF focuses on high-impact philanthropy and will monitor the investment in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank to track outcomes and adjust the measures as needed.
