FOUR-CORNERS, Fla. — As we enter the dog days of summer, officials with Second Harvest Food Bank say hunger is becoming a heightened issue for kids and families, especially if they rely on school cafeterias.

“Some cafeterias are closed, some kids don’t have transportation to their school,” said Second Harvest spokesperson Erika Spence. “They rely on community centers to access a free meal, breakfast and lunch.”

The agency helps seven counties throughout Central Florida, partnering with smaller agencies and food banks to funnel resources to those specific communities.

Hands of Hope America, founded by Evelisse Bookhout, is one of those many partners. 

“Partnering with Second Harvest really helps prevent those food insecurity barriers out in the community,” said Bookhout. “It allows access to free food for those who may not have a meal.”

Bookhout is on the frontline, working with the community to get them fed, especially in the summer.

“The kids can have a place where they can get free meals,” she said. “We have some families that come to the community center during the summer months and breakfast and lunch here ... is the only meal they eat throughout those summer months.”

Opening the door to endless possibilities, the potential for greatness wasn’t done on an empty stomach.

“Growing up, I was a child that was raised by a single mom trying to raise three kids. She worked 16 hours plus in law enforcement trying to put food on the table,” said Bookhout.

Bookhout has always had a heart for giving back and lifting her community. Back in 2019, she saw the lack of resources in the Four-Corners area, that includes an intersection of Orange, Osceola, Lake and Polk Counties. She wanted to be part of the solution.

“Being intentional. It’s sitting down with the families we serve and really hearing their story,” she said. “Not every family is the same, not every individual is the same. Everybody is unique and when we treat them in their uniqueness according to their situation, we’re able to understand their story, but then we’re able to supply their needs or connect them with resources and kind of fill in that gap.”

While the Four Corners area grows, so does the need of the community. Which is why now more than ever, it’s important nonprofits carry these partnerships.

“That needs to be the eye-opener, these are not families that are not trying to overcome their challenges,” said Bookhout. “These are families that, despite their challenges, they’re overcoming. Yet the resources are not available for them to be sustainable.”