Our goal is to create and deliver 200+ weekend food packs for needy children in our local community. Florida has one of the highest rates of food insecure children in the United States, and without access to school breakfast and lunch on the weekends, many kids run the risk of going hungry. That’s why we’re partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida on this project. All funds we raise go directly to them, and we’re volunteering our time to create the packs for delivery to a local elementary school.

Who are we, anyway?

Deep philosophical discussions aside, we’re a team of coworkers at CNL Financial Group in Orlando, FL. The biggest of the big bosses here recently threw down the gauntlet with a CNL Difference Makers $20 Challenge. They gave each of us at CNL $20 and a mandate to go make a difference in our community, either individually or in small groups of less than 10. We've already donated our funds to our cause, and the team that makes the biggest difference as judged on originality and impact will be awarded $500. Make no mistake, we’re a bunch of Type-A personalities and want the bragging rights, but more important, we’ll donate the extra $500 to the local food bank we’re working with if we win. That’s the equivalent of an extra 100 food packs.

What’s in it for you?

Here’s where we drop some science. Helping others is linked to:

• A longer lifespan
• Greater overall happiness
• Better pain management
• Lower blood pressure

And here’s where we make up random benefits.* Helping with our project is linked to:

• Winning People’s Sexiest Award
• Unparalleled breakdancing skills
• The swiftness of Usain Bolt
• Knowing way more than that annoying know-it-all

*Random benefits have no basis in reality.

That’s all fine, but I want additional details before donating.

So you’re the strong, skeptical type — we like that. Here’s the deal. We’re raising funds and volunteering our time to provide food to kids in need through a collaboration with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Second Harvest has identified a local elementary school where our efforts are most needed. A weekend food pack will cost about $5, so the more money we raise, the more kids we can help. We’re targeting September 9th to complete fundraising so we can volunteer our time on September 16th at the food bank to put the packs together for delivery. If you have further questions, you can reach us by clicking on the “Contact the Organizer” email link on the right-side navigation. This really is a good cause, and we’re serious about making a difference with the funds we raise. Thank you for your donations and social shares using the hashtag #CNLDifferenceMakers.