Since the onset of the pandemic, a remarkable sight has emerged across Central Florida. Cars start lining up early, each one hoping to receive a box of hope in the form of food. This weekly and monthly ritual plays a crucial role in ensuring families are fed, rent is paid, and households continue to function.

Volunteers at St. Vincent De Paul Divine Mercy Food Pantry

The dedicated volunteers with the St. Vincent De Paul Divine Mercy Food Pantry are hard at work, getting ready to distribute box after box and cart after cart of food. Their bi-weekly food distribution in Merritt Island is a lifeline for those struggling to afford their meals. Neighbors patiently wait in their cars for hours, knowing that this distribution will provide them with essential staples.As Kathy Cosmano said, "They give you a variety of stuff. It’s like fruits and vegetables, then you’ll get some meat. It’s definitely staples that actually come in very handy. I really, really don’t know what we would do without it." Many others share the same sentiment. Dan Duggan remarked, "I’m on social security and my last two weeks, you know, this helps out a lot. Vegetables, you get some meats, and they’ll throw in a pie here or there, which I’m alright with." Deena Sloan also expressed her gratitude, saying, "I just retired last year and this has made a big difference on my grocery bill. It makes me be able to cook meat with every meal without having to take money away from my bill money. If I didn’t have it, I don’t know how I would make it."

The Bowlers and Their Work

Lonny and Tom Bowler run the pantry. They are snowbirds who made Merritt Island their home full-time seven years ago. Lonny Bowler saw the potential of the pantry as a social place. He would see people coming and going, giving him the opportunity to interact with others throughout the day. This has created a whole new community for them.Partnering with the Second Harvest Food Bank, the Bowlers and their St. Vincent De Paul team have transformed the pantry. From being just a place with cans and boxed goods, it has become a bustling operation. Lonny Bowler expressed his gratitude, saying, "They’ve made everything possible. We’re so grateful to Second Harvest."

Home Delivery Program and Its Impact

The pantry also has a home delivery program to assist neighbors who are unable to make it to the church. Tamara O’Quinn is one such neighbor. The St. Vincent De Paul volunteers visit her twice a month. As O’Quinn said, "God sends his angels, which are these guys. They come in and talk to me and stuff, otherwise, I would never get talked to. I don’t know if they really know how much this means to me, cause it does."This need for support is evident among families. As Lonny Bowler explained, "This need for support that families have, we have many that will say ‘If I can get the food from you, then I don’t have to pay for as much food then maybe I can pay the electric bill, maybe I can pay the water bill, maybe I can put it towards the rent.' It’s that close for them."Through the bi-monthly food deliveries and distributions, this Merritt Island Pantry is able to help more than 700 families a month. Much of this is made possible through the Second Harvest Food Bank and the dedication of these volunteers. As Tom Bowler said, "It doesn’t ever seem like work because in the back of your mind, you’re doing it for someone who might be a little less fortunate than we have been in our lives. It’s really meaningful to us."