On August 24, 2024, Light Orlando and nearly 2,000 volunteers gathered at the Central Florida Fairgrounds for an incredible cause. In just over six hours, these dedicated individuals worked together to create over one million protein-rich, vegan meals for Central Florida families struggling with food insecurity. The event was a testament to the power of community and the difference that can be made when people come together with a shared purpose.
The Process: Making One Million Meals
Each meal prepared at the event was thoughtfully designed to be nutritious and easy to prepare for families in need. The meals contained a blend of rice, lentils, dehydrated vegetables, and spices—simple ingredients that only require water and a microwave to become a warm, hearty bowl of Jambalaya. With a Vegan recipe, the meals are also suitable for a variety of diets, making them accessible to many people in need.
To further support the families receiving these meals, volunteers were encouraged to bring canned proteins as donations. These canned goods, also often available at food banks, can be added to the Jambalaya to enhance flavor or protein!
The event was organized with precision, ensuring that the meal-making process was efficient and effective, allowing for the goal of one million meals to be achieved in a single day. Each table at the fairgrounds functioned as an assembly line, with volunteers adding dry ingredients to pre-labeled bags, carefully weighing and adjusting portion sizes, and then sealing and boxing the meals.
At the head of each table was a Table Captain, a volunteer aged between 18 and 24, wearing yellow to signify their leadership role. These young leaders played a crucial part in keeping the assembly lines running smoothly, ensuring that every volunteer knew their role and that the process was as seamless as possible.
Once boxed, the meals were labeled, moved to pallets, and sorted for distribution to Central Florida charity partners who arrived throughout the event to pick up the meals and, in turn, distribute them to those who need them most.
These Numbers Speak for Themselves!
The results of the volunteers’ efforts were nothing short of astounding, take a look for yourself!
By 10:45 AM: 400,000 meals built
By 11:20 AM: 560,000 meals built (end of first shift!- more than halfway to the goal!)
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: (Quick Lunch break!)
By 1:16 PM: 835,000 meals built (Second shift starts!)
By 1:35 PM: 910,000 meals built
By 2:02 PM: 1,041,894 meals built
In just 4 hours and 20 minutes of active meal-building, the volunteers reached an incredible milestone, creating over a million meals. The entire event, including the lunch break and other activities, lasted just 6 hours and 32 minutes.
A Day of Fun and Giving Back
The event wasn’t just about hard work—it was also a day filled with fun and community spirit. Throughout the day, volunteers participated in social media contests, raffles for gift cards, and even enjoyed some dancing and singing. These activities added a sense of joy and camaraderie to the event, making it a memorable experience for everyone who showed up! You can always expect FUN at a Light Orlando event!
A Word on Food Insecurity
As Troy Wright, Program Officer with Light Orlando, emphasized, “Hunger does not discriminate. We all likely know someone struggling with food insecurity. However, populations that are already vulnerable and disadvantaged are at the greatest risk of being impacted by rising inflation and increased food costs.”
This event was a powerful reminder of the importance of community action in addressing food insecurity. By coming together, the volunteers made a tangible difference in the lives of those who are struggling to put food on the table.
As individuals, we can shine bright, but when we work TOGETHER we can shine a light so bright the WORLD can see it. THANK YOU again to the 2000 incredible volunteers who donated their time and efforts to support our Central Florida Community.
View more photos from the event gallery here!
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