PENSACOLA, Fla. – Pen Air FCU presented $10,000 to Manna Food Pantries’ 5th Annual Donut Strike.
The 2022 drive collected the equivalent of 32,694 healthy meals over the course of the three-day campaign. Nearly 130,000 healthy meals have been distributed throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties since 2017.
The Donut Strike originated as a joint effort of the Pensacola Police Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Fire Department, Escambia County Fire Rescue, local businesses, and the community to turn hunger into hope. With a front row view of hunger and the impact it has, first responders vowed to put the donuts down and do something to help, and the community stood behind their efforts.
“Pen Air is committed to the communities we serve,” said President/CEO Delbert Lee Morgan. “Hunger does not discriminate. The rising costs of inflation are impacting everyone, resulting in more families facing food insecurity. We are proud to support the call put out by our first responders to enhance lives – one meal at a time – for those in need.”
First responders went on strike from June 22 through June 24 gaining community to support toward combating local hunger. Participating agencies included the Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Fire Rescue, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Pace Fire Rescue District, Pensacola Fire Department, and Pensacola Police Department.
“Donut Strike is such an important event for us,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Executive Director of Manna Food Pantries. “The summer months are tough on donations. Need increases with the kids out of school while donations and drives are slow. This year is proving even more challenging with rising inflation and grocery prices. Donut Strike helps us bridge that gap and replenish so many essential pantry items like oatmeal and peanut butter,” says Flounlacker.