PORT ORANGE  |  It took only 55 minutes to serve 19,000 pounds of food to 296 families in need.

These staggering numbers illustrate the incredible success of the latest mobile food distribution at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Port Orange.

At the center of the action is Juan Vega, director of food ministries for Catholic Charities of Central Florida. He oversees eight food pantries and mobile food distribution sites across four counties, which help over 4,800 families a year. “Last fiscal year, we managed three million pounds of food.”

Vega said mobile food distributions are “designed to help (our) families a little bit faster.” “All drops are designed for us to pick a place and go and try to (have) an immediate impact.” The mobile food distributions at Our Lady of Hope Parish are one such outreach that occur monthly on fourth Fridays.

Supreme Knight Ernie Jackson of Knights of Columbus Council 8086 says Our Lady of Hope conducted regular food drives at the parish for years. They then began a grocery distribution program which was a precursor to the mobile food distribution events. While Jackson, a U.S. Army veteran, used his military experience to help develop a more efficient distribution process, he recalled talking to his pastor, Father Matthew Mello, about carrying out the program on a larger scale.

Vega said he went out to the parish two years ago, assessed the situation, pinpointed challenges, and met the volunteers. His message was simple. “This is your community, there’s people that are in need, and I need you. Without you, I can’t give them food.”

With the help of Father Mello, the parish’s Knights of Columbus council, and generous volunteers, they were able to start a monthly mobile food distribution in association with Catholic Charities of Central Florida at Our Lady of Hope. “Now it seems like every month we come by it just (gets) better and better.”

Through their partnership with Second Harvest, a Central Florida food bank, they are able to provide families with the fresh groceries they need. Vega emphasizes that “without them, I can’t do what I do.” Before each mobile food distribution, Vega consults with Second Harvest, who sources food through The Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, local farmers, and supermarkets. While the availability of certain foods varies, Vega notes “we try our very best to be balanced” so each family receives fresh produce, meat, and other nourishing goods.

At each mobile food distribution event, cars are allowed to line up for more than an hour before they begin giving away food. A team of volunteers register the families (with an individual’s name and number of family members) before they receive groceries.

Cars pull into the distribution area and open their trunks so that volunteers can load groceries into the car. Each family receives around 17-18 pounds of food, approximately one to two weeks’ worth of groceries. After a quick signature acknowledging they have received their groceries, the families leave and the next group of cars pull in.

This method allows for careful oversight of the whole process and guarantees that each family gets the same amount of food.

“I think that’s the reason why it makes us different and it makes us successful. It’s not just giving food (away), it’s the way we do it,” Vega said. “(Our Lady of Hope) has got a great group of volunteers. They also have a great support from the Knights of Columbus that are our champions there.”

Jackson led a group of 35 Knights that helped distribute groceries. “It looked like something out of the Daytona Raceway and pit road.” Jackson said, adding others are invited to come and experience it themselves. “It’s matured now to the point where … if somebody is interested in doing this, (they) should come see what we do.”

Athletes from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University regularly help with food distribution, as the rowing team did during this distribution.

“Embry-Riddle has been very engaged with us,” Vega said. “They’re gracious enough to come and participate and help us out.”

From operating a pallet jack and unloading the truck to getting boxes ready for families, each volunteer plays an important role at the mobile food distributions. Vega truly appreciates the efforts of every volunteer.

“It’s really cool to see how people take ownership on different days… they come in and they give us the time and I appreciate it. You know, my goal is to honor them and to make them feel welcome and for them to understand that without them, I can’t do what I do.”

Jackson has seen the demand for assistance increase exponentially. “It’s so big that we fill the entire church parking lot up with cars.” Due to the demand, Vega plans on increasing their capacity so they can serve more families.

Reflecting on the day, Vega is grateful to everyone who helped make it possible. “God just provided… it was great stuff.”

By Lucas Blackwell of the Florida Catholic staff, March 13, 2026