ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Cherise Mitchell Sanchez has been working tirelessly since 2021 to feed those who live and work in the Pine Hills community.
Mitchell Sanchez runs a weekly food pantry through his nonprofit organization Butterfly Lifestyle. Since Mitchell Sanchez started the weekly giveaway, she has seen the demand for her support increase.
“So on a weekly basis, we can do over 300 families. We’re counting family by family,” she said. “In August, the number of cases approached 5,000.”
Mitchell Sanchez currently runs the pantry at Rise Up Church, 4400 N. Powers Drive. She provides food to the community there every Friday.
“Even though it starts at 11:30 a.m., the line starts at 8,” she said.
When Mitchell Sanchez started distributing food, he was unable to partner with larger food banks to provide meals. Nevertheless, she was undaunted and partnered with the church to provide space for a food pantry.
“The pastor said, ‘You know, Second Harvest can’t work with us — they have too many partners or something like that — but if you can find food, please go ahead.’ she said.
Watch the full episode of Florida Foodie on YouTube:
So she started looking for food. Mitchell Sanchez ended up partnering with restaurants, coffee shops and convenience stores to source food. It’s an arduous habit she still follows. She drives around Central Florida with a cargo van full of donated food.
“I have a few Wawa’s that bother me,” she said. “I’ve had people come up to me in line and say, ‘I came to this food pantry because I heard they were giving away Wawas.'”
Since then, Mitchell Sanchez has been able to partner with Second Harvest, which allows her to provide more fresh fruits and vegetables to the people she serves.
“Thursday is the big day to go to Second Harvest. I’m renting a truck,” she said. “Maybe I’ll get a 15-foot vehicle and then use my van. And that’s how I’ll distribute the food.”
Mitchell Sanchez accomplished all of this with an entirely volunteer workforce.
In the latest episode of Florida Foodie, she talks more about her efforts to feed the community and the other services she provides. She also tells of a time when her ambition to help people in need exceeded her expectations.
Check out the Florida Foodie Podcast. You can find all episodes in the media player below.
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