The Christian Service Center for Central Florida has surpassed a milestone of five million free meals served through its Daily Bread soup kitchen since that program began in 1975.
“Serving five million meals to neighbors in need is both a testament to the dedication of our staff, volunteers and supporters over the decades, but also to the ongoing reality that thousands of Central Floridians are struggling with hunger and financial challenges. Daily Bread is just one of several components that make up the safe space we’ve created at our day services campus where people can come to for nourishment and to get connected to resources that guide them back to self-sufficiency,” said Executive Director Eric Gray.
June 1 also marks the final day of the Christian Service Center’s Anniversary Matching Gift Challenge. A group of Orlando families have pledged to double every donation dollar-for-dollar up to a goal of $90,000. As of May 31, the organization has raised more than $76,000 in matching gifts since the campaign began April 15. The Christian Service Center is also scheduling Campus Tours this summer of its campus to highlight the multiple services being offered for those in crisis, from basic needs such as food and clothing, to more advanced assistance with laundry, mail, job placement, rent and utility assistance, and eventually mental health services.
Since 1971, the Christian Service Center has provided the most vulnerable populations of Central Florida with various programs designed to meet physical, emotional and spiritual needs, regardless of race, religion, orientation, age or gender. The Christian Service Center handles the most at-risk families and individuals in Central Florida. These are the “working poor” who live paycheck to paycheck, as well as individuals experiencing homelessness in Downtown Orlando, Winter Park, and Ocoee.
