Think of it as shopping for free, getting fresh and high-quality food without having to pay for it — and it is legal, too!
All you have to do is show up, and show up early before the supplies of food run out.
As households struggle to pay living expenses for themselves and their loved ones, some direct help comes from private nonprofit organizations that arrange free distributions of edibles on a first-come/drive-by basis.
Backpack Buddies is one such organization. Established a few years ago by Kellianne Marks to offer food to needy children attending Orange City Elementary School, the charity has grown to aid impoverished families with children in other area schools, and it arranges food drops periodically.
Backpack Buddies’ most recent giveaway was Dec. 1 at Emory Bennett Park in Orange City. Long lines of cars queued up on Veterans Memorial Parkway and East Rhode Island Avenue, as drivers and their passengers waited patiently for their turn to drive up and have their trunks loaded with items they may not otherwise have.
LADY ON THE MOVE — Orange City Council Member Lisa Stafford steps up her pace to take fresh meat to a car waiting at the loading point.
When did people start to line up for the giveaway?
“Two o’clock [a.m.],” Marks said. “That was confirmed by the police.”
That was well before the distribution actually began about 10 a.m.
“The truck came late today,” Marks said, as she moved about to make certain the giveaway went as planned.
Along with Backpack Buddies’ stalwart supporters, personnel from Advent Health-Fish Memorial joined the cadre of volunteers. Second Harvest provided the food that was given away. Items distributed included canned goods, broccoli, lettuce, celery, carrots, ribs, cereal, pasta and bread.
MEETING IN THE SUNSHINE — Almost half of the Orange City Council is at work distributing food. From left, Council Members Kellianne Marks, Lisa Stafford and Fran Darms take a break from loading cars to pose together.
“Things are so expensive, it’s crazy,” one woman said as she neared the loading point. She added she can hardly afford to shop for food in supermarkets.
Those waiting and receiving the free food expressed gratitude that someone cares enough to help others in need.
“I’ve been out of work for four months,” another woman said, describing the food event as “very important.” “It’s the best thing anybody can do.”
The Backpack Buddies food drop served 1,599 people, according to Marks, and 585 of them were children. Altogether, 420 cars passed through the park to pick up free food before supplies were exhausted.
CHECKING IN — AdventHealth Chaplain Mack Vendome inquires from drivers regarding the numbers of people in their household, thus informing the workers at the loading point how much food should be given to meet the household’s needs.
