ORLANDO, Fla. – HCA Florida Healthcare is celebrating National Volunteer Month through its continued commitment to fighting food insecurity in Central Florida.
More than 100 colleagues from HCA Florida Healthcare sites of care across the Greater Orlando region came together at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida on April 3 and April 24 to help sort and pack food donations. On April 24, HCA Florida Healthcare volunteers also presented a $20,000 donation to help provide food to families experiencing insecurity. The events were part of HCA Healthcare’s national We Show Up for Our Communities initiative that occurs each April to address community needs through volunteering, making charitable donations and partnering with local organizations.
“Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a key partner in our work to give people a healthier tomorrow through its vital efforts to address hunger in our community,” said David Shimp, CEO, HCA Florida Osceola Hospital. “We’re honored to support Second Harvest with today’s financial gift as well as the service of our dedicated volunteers, at the events this month and all year long.”
The organization Feeding America estimates one in seven people, and one in six children, in Central Florida live in households that may be food insecure, which means not having enough nutritious food to have an active, healthy life. This year’s We Show Up initiative brings HCA Florida Healthcare’s financial contributions to Second Harvest to $70,000, along with thousands of pounds of food and hundreds of volunteer hours since the partnership began in 2021.
“Hunger impacts children, families, and seniors across Central Florida, forcing many to make difficult choices about how to stretch limited incomes,” said Dan Samuels, director of philanthropy for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. “Through both generous funding and hands-on volunteerism, HCA Florida Healthcare is helping ensure that neighbors facing hunger have access to the food they need to thrive. We are grateful for their ongoing partnership and their leadership during the ‘We Show Up’ campaign, which will provide enough food for 80,000 meals.”
We Show Up for Our Communities is part of HCA Healthcare’s enterprise-wide focus on providing the quality healthcare our patients deserve as well as showing up to address needs in our community. In 2025, more than 11,700 HCA Florida Healthcare colleagues from 650 facilities supported more than 2,000 nonprofits and community organizations across the state. These efforts provided nearly 55,700 volunteer hours and included more than $3.5 million in individual and corporate contributions.
Provided by HCA Florida Healthcare