APOPKA, Fla. — A stretch of bad weather decades ago led to a lot of giving in northwest Orange County.

A food pantry in Apopka has been serving those in need in the community for 41 years.

The people at Loaves and Fishes work just about every day, filling the weekly food bags and monthly household and toiletry bags.

“You know this stuff is really expensive, and so with somebody on a fixed income or it’s a low-income family, these things are very, very ... it’s a big necessity for them,” said Loaves and Fishes director Lory Reeves.

Reeves volunteered for 10 years and has been a paid employee for 15, and she says Loaves and Fishes has a storied past.

“We had a big orange freeze in Orange County back in 1984,” Reeves said. “All the workers lost their jobs, so they started going to all the churches looking for help. Churches got together, and they said, ‘Hey, let’s make one place where we can support them.'”

In the early 80s, the nonprofit was run out of a one-room house, which also acted as a soup kitchen. Rent at that time was $1 a year.

Loaves and Fishes moved to where it is today in 1992 and expanded even more. It serves people who are low income in a nine-county area, or people who are homeless. They take that into consideration with what they give out.

“They need to have things that they can open, pop tops," Reeves said. "You know anything with a can with a pop top, anything small, so we keep this area strictly for them."

About 70% of the nonprofit's clients are seniors who are dealing with rising rent and can’t easily afford the necessities. So, while the days can be hectic, they’re all blessed that they can continue a 41 year tradition. 

Those interested in discovering ways to help Loaves and Fishes and click here.