OCALA, Fla. — Volunteers with the Southeastern Food Bank spent time Saturday morning delivering food to families in Orange County.

What You Need To Know

  • Southeastern Food Bank hosted their food distribution on Saturday morning for its 32nd year

  • The group says they delivered more than 2,850 boxes of food in the last three years

  • With about 40 volunteers in attendance for the food distribution, 800 families were able to receive a free box of food

This is the 32nd year of the event, which is held in the Spring. The food bank also has food distributions for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

For over eight years, Doug Benedict has dedicated his time giving back to his community.

As he loaded up trucks one by one with boxes — filled to the top with fresh produce, canned goods and more — he’s reminded of the reason he continues to give back.

“I remember one story with a senior, and she asked me to put a box right outside of her door, which I did. And then, I was delivering a box next door to her neighbors and I heard her voice saying, ‘I can’t lift it,’ so I helped her and put it right inside of her door, and I remember her bending down and pulling out the food items and she was so excited, saying, ‘Look at this, look at this,’ and it brought tears to my eyes to see the appreciation she had for a box of food,” Benedict said.

With about 40 volunteers in attendance for the food distribution, 800 families were able to receive a free box of food.

Benedict said he puts in 500 hours of volunteer work a year and sees the benefit firsthand.

“When you give, you get back more than what you’re giving,” he said. “It’s something that makes you content in what you’re doing. It gives you a great feeling and when people do it, they want to do it more, so it’s a blessing to be able to do that.”

Southeastern Food Bank said they delivered more than 2,850 boxes of food in the last three years. They’ve also delivered personal care to families in poverty.

President and founder Mark Anthony says food insecurity has increased.

“It’s challenging for a lot of people now. It used to be a few people, so I think percentage wise, we’re seeing more and more people that really need food,” said Anthony.

Anthony added that the food distribution is made possible through donations. Saturday’s food bank was donated by Kroger and Publix. He said that they received 6.3 million pounds of food through donations last year.

For Benedict, it’s a family affair. He’s teaching his children to give back to their community as well.

“We got little ones all the way up to seniors and everybody just pitches in and does their part because it takes everybody to make it happen,” he said.