- April 20, 2024
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Amber Azzarello's second grade gifted students helps pack meals for Provision Packs at the nonprofit's new facility on Thursday, March 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Cayson Gagne-Adams creates a craft depicting a healthy eating plate at Provision Packs' new facility on Thursday, March 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Avonelle Thomas creates a craft depicting a healthy eating plate at Provision Packs' new facility on Thursday, March 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Teacher Amber Azzarello helps Johanna Medina with her craft at Provision Packs' new facility on Thursday, March 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Teacher Amber Azzarello and a school chaperone help Eloise Barjatya and Hayden Samuels with their crafts at Provision Packs' new facility on Thursday, March 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Provision Packs Carrie Torres demonstrates how to pack a bag at the nonprofit's new facility on Thursday, March 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Provision Packs Carrie Torres demonstrates how to pack a bag at the nonprofit's new facility on Thursday, March 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Carolina De La Torriente packs a bag for Provision Packs at the nonprofit's new facility on Thursday, March 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Niya Eddins packs a bag for Provision Packs at the nonprofit's new facility on Thursday, March 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
In just 16 months, local nonprofit Provision Packs outgrew its 1,000 square-foot pantry. The program doubled.
It went from serving around 200 students each week at three schools, to almost 400 at six schools — Pathways Elementary, Tomoka Elementary, Ormond Beach Elementary, Ortona Elementary, Holly Hill School and Pine Trail Elementary. It's a rapid growth that Provision Packs Founder Carrie Torres said she was bewildered by.
With a seventh school, Osceola Elementary, on the way, and with bags falling off the shelves onto others at their U.S. 1 facility, Torres knew it was time to find a bigger space. Provision Packs found a home at 289 Walnut St., which used to house a glass and window warehouse manufacturer. Volunteers gutted the building, and through community donations, the 2,000 square-foot facility is the now the hub where over 3,300 meals are packed a week for local students.
“We could double the amount of children we feed in this facility," Torres said.
Provision Packs aim is to prevent childhood hunger in local students in need by providing them with 6-8 meals a week plus snacks. It's a mission that Torres said couldn't be possible without the community rallying behind the nonprofit. About five years ago, the program started with three kids at Pathways Elementary.
Amber Azzarello, second grade gifted teacher at Pathways, has witnessed Provision Packs' progression over the years. Her son was in the same kindergarten class as Torres' daughter. Since her students are currently learning about community problem-solving, she hoped that by taking them on a field trip to Provision Packs' new facility would help them understand the needs of the community. None of her students have that need, but she thought it was important they go outside their elements and see it.
“I really thought that [Torres] was inspiring — that she saw this need and problem in the community and solved it, and is still solving it even further and more broad in our community," Azzarello said.
As a teacher, she sees students every week receive Provision Packs at school. She sees their excitement to have food in their hands, so much that Azzarello said they don't hide the bags in their backpacks.
“It still gives me goosebumps to think that she’s doing such a great thing for these kids," Azzarello said.
Torres said she told Azzarello's students that they need to be the change they want to see. They spoke about community service and what it means to take care of people. One day, she hopes Provision Packs can become a program other communities can imitate.
“If there’s no one else doing it, you try to step up and help each other, but you also surround yourself with people who believe," Torres said.
