ORLANDO, Fla. – Hundreds of Orlando volunteers honored the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on Friday by turning remembrance into service for neighbors in need.
Teams from four of Central Florida’s major companies and charitable foundations came together at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, where they packed 210,000 nutritious, shelf-stable meals for local individuals and families experiencing hunger.
The effort was part of 9/11 Day, the nonprofit organization that helped secure federal recognition of Sept. 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. The annual observance has grown into the largest day of charitable service in the United States, and this year marked Orlando’s first time participating in the 9/11 Day Meal Pack initiative.
Brianna Mayhew, representing 9/11 Day, said the Orlando event was designed to reconnect people with the sense of compassion and togetherness that emerged in the aftermath of the attacks 25 years ago.
“Today is really a day to honor all the ways that people showed up for each other without question, without thought, to do good for their neighbor. And we lose that in a lot of life in the chaos of every day. So, this is our way to do that and give people the opportunity,” Mayhew said.
Key sponsors of the Orlando 9/11 Day Meal Pack included the Central Florida Foundation, Comcast/Universal, Delta, Duke Energy, Holland & Knight, Lockheed Martin, Raise the Roof Foundation and Target.
The service project also coincided with Hunger Action Month, underscoring a serious need across the region. Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida reports that one in seven Central Floridians is facing hunger, including one in five children.
All 210,000 meals assembled by volunteers were donated directly to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, supporting ongoing efforts to reduce food insecurity throughout the community.
The gathering began with a moment of silence led by City of Orlando Fire Department Chaplain Crawford, followed by an a cappella rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
