Community Food Drive
Rising Together is hosting a community feeding event in Central Florida! Join us!
Why this drive matters right now
More than 1 in 7 families in Polk County reported skipping a meal last month so their kids could eat. That's not a statistic to us. That's the family two doors down. The single mom on the third shift. The grandparent raising three grandkids on a fixed income.
On May 10 we're flipping that script. For four hours, we're turning the parking lot at the Lake Alfred Community Center into the largest one-day pantry pop-up the county has ever seen.
What we need
- Volunteers — sorting, packing, parking, smiling. No experience required, just two hours and a willingness to move boxes.
- Non-perishable food — rice, beans, pasta, peanut butter, canned protein, baby formula. Drop off at the Center anytime that week.
- Cash gifts — every dollar buys roughly four meals through our food-bank partners. The link is at the bottom of this page.
What to expect when you arrive
When you arrive, please head to the front entrance where our team will be ready to welcome you. Our goal is to provide a comfortable, dignified experience for every guest:
A Warm Welcome: A volunteer will greet you at the door and guide you inside.
A Hot Meal: Once inside, you’ll be served a hot, nutritious meal. We invite you to sit down, relax, and enjoy your food in a welcoming environment.
A Personal Meal Kit: Before you head out, you will receive a takeaway kit to go, which includes breakfast, lunch, and a protein snack to ensure you stay nourished throughout the day.
After the drive
Everything left goes straight to our partner pantries the same evening. Nothing sits. Nothing spoils. Nothing is wasted.
If you can't make it on Saturday, the donate button below still puts food on a Polk County table this week. Thank you for showing up however you can.
Be Part of It
Show up, give, or send a friend.
Every event runs on the same three things: hands, hearts, and gifts. Pick the one that fits your week.
