Full Plate PRESS
A Record-Breaking Holiday Season
Second Harvest assisted 8,000 families still recovering from last year’s devastating hurricane season.
From Leon to Suwannee County, our team worked tirelessly to deliver more than meals—we delivered hope. Each family received a complete holiday feast: a turkey or ham, traditional side dishes, and fresh produce. The joy we witnessed at distribution sites across Jefferson, Taylor, and Madison counties also reminded us of the incredible resilience of our communities.
The scale of this year’s holiday outreach surpassed anything in Second Harvest’s history. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, partners, and donors, thousands of families were able to gather around their tables, sharing not just food, but moments of connection and comfort during the holiday season.
These meals represented more than sustenance—they symbolized recovery, community strength, and the power of coming together. At every distribution site, we saw firsthand how a holiday meal could bring light to families facing difficult times.
Your generosity made this possible. Every dollar you donated, every hour you volunteered, and every connection you shared helped set a new record for holiday giving in our region.
We hope the stories in this newsletter serve as a reminder that your support doesn’t just fill plates— it restores hope, builds community, and reminds our neighbors that they’re not alone. Together, we can make every season a time of sharing, caring, and renewed possibility for Big Bend families.
A Seasonal Publication of Second Harvest of the Big Bend Spring 2025
A Message from Monique
Dear Friends,
As spring brings new life to the Big Bend, I’m reminded of the remarkable renewal we’ve witnessed in our communities. From the resilience of people like Tom finding hope through a holiday meal, to the extraordinary generosity of the Storey family rallying support for Perry after Hurricane Helene … support from this community has helped plant seeds of recovery that are now beginning to bloom.
As we enter this season of growth and possibility, I see these winter achievements as the foundation for even greater impact ahead. Just as spring brings renewal to our neighborhoods, your continued support brings renewal to our neighbors in need. Every contribution, whether it’s time, funds, or advocacy, helps cultivate a more resilient community.
The challenges our region faces—from hurricane recovery to ongoing food insecurity—won’t disappear overnight. But like the first flowers of spring pushing through difficult soil, I see hope emerging everywhere I look. It’s in the smile of a grandmother receiving fresh produce for her family. It’s in the dedication of volunteers arriving before dawn to pack food boxes. And it’s in the generosity of donors like you who believe in our mission.
As we move forward together, I invite you to continue this journey with us with a gift today. Your support doesn’t just feed people—it nurtures hope, builds resilience, and strengthens the bonds that make our community special.
With deep gratitude,
Monique Ellsworth Chief Executive Officer
Champion for Change: Dr. Neal Dunn Receives 2024 Hunger Hero Award
Second Harvest was pleased to present U.S. Representative Dr. Neal Dunn with the 2024 Hunger Hero Award in recognition of his commitment as a tireless advocate and leader in the fight against hunger in the Big Bend region.
Dr. Dunn consistently works to ensure that our communities have access to the resources they need to thrive. His dedication to alleviating hunger and supporting those in need has made a significant impact across the area. Most notably, Dr. Dunn secured $3 million in community project funding, enabling us to build our new Hunger Action Center in 2025.
His leadership has been crucial in expanding access to food and creating sustainable solutions to hunger. Dr. Dunn’s compassion and relentless efforts continue to inspire us as we advance in our mission to fight hunger and build a stronger, healthier community!
A Box Full of Hope
The simple joy of a holiday meal had become a distant memory for Tom. After battling COVID-19, he faced mounting health challenges and financial hardships. A traditional holiday feast seemed out of reach—until he visited a Second Harvest holiday food distribution.
“I haven’t gotten to eat a holiday meal like this since COVID,” Tom shared, his voice emotional as he received a box brimming with fresh produce, a turkey, and all the fixings for a festive celebration. “It’s been a long time, a really long time.”
Hometown Heroes
When Hurricane Helene devastated Perry, Florida, leaving 300 families homeless, Travis and Margaret Storey knew they had to take action. Their response? A matching gift campaign that raised tens of thousands of dollars for their hometown community.
For Travis, a 1972 graduate of Taylor County High School who built a successful career in business and philanthropy, this initiative carried deep personal meaning. He dedicated the campaign to honor his mother, Earlene Wheeler, who still calls Perry home, and to remember his late stepfather, Olison Wheeler.
“This effort is personal for me,” Travis shared. “It’s a way to honor my family while giving back to the town that shaped who I am.”
Working in partnership with Second Harvest, the Storeys ensured their support would have an immediate impact. Their contribution provided 1,000 Taylor County families with complete Thanksgiving meals, including turkeys, holiday staples, and fresh produce.
“Smaller communities like Perry often get overlooked in the long-term recovery process,” Travis explained. “We wanted to make sure our town receives the help it deserves.”
Margaret witnessed firsthand how their matching gift campaign inspired others to action. “It’s incredible to see how much people care and are willing to step up to help their neighbors in need,” she reflected.
When you support Second Harvest, you join visionary donors like Travis and Margaret in creating lasting change. As we continue supporting long-term hurricane recovery efforts, we invite you to join the Storeys in demonstrating that when disaster strikes, our community responds with tremendous generosity and support.
Our incredible volunteers had gathered early that morning to organize the distribution, carefully arranging boxes that would soon transform into memorable meals for families across the community. For Tom, the impact went far beyond the food itself. This box represented the chance to share a traditional holiday with his family—a simple pleasure he thought he’d lost.
As Tom’s story shows, a meal isn’t always just about nutrition—it can also be about dignity, connection, and the healing power of community.
2024 RECAP
21,016,295+ Pounds of FOOD Distributed
17,513,579+ MEALS Served
8,500+ VOLUNTEERS
18,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS
120 Local PARTNER Agencies
25 SCHOOL Market Partners
8,772,618+ Pounds of Fresh PRODUCE
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SECOND HARVEST OF THE BIG BEND!
Did you know you can recommend a grant to Second Harvest from your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)? It’s a smart, tax-efficient way to fight hunger in the Big Bend. Whether you have a DAF with Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, or another DAF sponsor institution, supporting our mission in this way is simple and highly impactful.
Contact James McGowan, our Chief Development Officer, at 850-562-3033 to learn more about maximizing your charitable impact through your DAF. Our Federal EIN: 59-2610345
Daniel Petronio
President
Melanie Leitman
Vice President
Jeanne Freeman
Treasurer
Leon Charles Brunson
Secretary
Samantha Boge
Stefanie Bowden
Keith Bowers
Bill Dillion
Michael German
Donald Gray
Alexandra Henry
David Hulse
Ana Melendez
John Stafford
Corie Stegall
Jarrett Terry
SPRING INTO ACTION WITH YOUR DONOR-ADVISED FUND