OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Food insecurity is a major problem, and income strained families are far more common than people believe, however, there are nonprofits, agencies, houses of worship and organizations doing their part to help people who are experiencing the challenges associated with financial burdens as they try to make ends meet.
On April 29, 2026, volunteers and staff from Wings of Faith Church and Second Harvest Food Bank distributed fresh produce and pantry staples along with more than 1,000 pounds of locally donated ground beef to families in Marion County at the Living Waters Church.
The Second Harvest Food Bank has over 50 partnering agencies in Marion County and Wings of Faith Church is one of them, said Stephanie Palacios, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida director of advocacy and government relations.
The Second Harvest Food Bank distributes millions of meals through their partner agency network in Marion County. Wings of Faith Church has a brick-and-mortar pantry as well and does these large distributions, said Palacios.
“This is a regular distribution that Dale (Broom) from Wings of Faith does, however, we have some interesting and unique product here, so the Southeastern Youth Fair raised some steers and donated them through our Farmer Feeding Florida Partnership, said Palacios. “This is a partnership with the Feeding Florida Network that the Second Harvest Food Bank has with the State of Florida to process and purchase Florida grown products to go out in distributions like this. We have over 1,000 pounds of Florida processed ground beef that’s going out to the community here.”
Second Harvest Food Bank distributes 300,000 meals every day to a seven-county service area, which includes Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia. Feeding neighbors who are facing hunger is only the beginning.
Three staff members from Wings of Faith along with 61 volunteers distributed 40,037 pounds of free food to 504 families, consisting of 1,873 people. Those employees and volunteers put in a total of 321 hours of service. The collective effort of Operation Compassion, the mobile food distribution, made a significant difference for those who are wrestling with the economic disadvantages of higher gas and food prices.
“Wings of Faith has been partnering with Second Harvest for 23 years, receiving food that we’ve been giving out in the shores area,” said Rev, Dale Broom, Wings of Faith Church. “We had begun expanding and going out. I had a relationship with Second Harvest in the churches’ I was pastoring in, in other counties. I came here to oversee the mission’s department, the food operation for Wings of Faith It just became a thing to keep going. It has grown and expanded. All the food that you see being given away is free. There’s over 40,000 pounds of food, with probably 85% of that being fresh produce. The ground beef is from Fort McCoy that’s being handed out.”
Two palettes of beef were given out last Wednesday at the Ocala Rotary Sportsplex, eggs were also distributed, said Broom. Each family on April 29 received about 100 pounds of food, worth about $300, with all of the food being donated, from Second Harvest, the meat packing plant in Fort McCoy, Bimbo and Publix, who gave out deserts and bread that were distributed. There will be another truck drop food distribution at the Ocala Rotary Sportsplex on May 11. Operation Compassion has grown exponentially over the last four years, with a third-year increase of 513% of families being served.
If you’re struggling with food insecurity you can access the Second Harvest Food Bank website at feedhopenow.org.