PRSA Volunteer Event Lives “UP” to the Challenge of Battling Poverty

Members of the Poston Communication’s Orlando team recently joined the local public relations community through PRSA to volunteer at UP Orlando: United Against Poverty, a program created to help people who are struggling get back on their feet.

One in five children are born into poverty in the U.S., and more than 450,000 families in Central Florida are living on an income of less than $25,000 a year. To overcome these hurdles, the staff and volunteers of UP Orlando partner with organizations in the Central Florida area to “inspire and empower people living in poverty to lift themselves and their families to economic self-sufficiency.”

An “UP”-lifting Morning

The PRSA Gives Back event on Dec. 15 began with UP Orlando’s “morning motivation,” in which volunteers uplift each other through fun icebreakers, songs and cheers.

Volunteers were given a tour of the facility and warehouse, where they learned about all the resources UP Orlando provides, including:

• Computer Lab Services
• Continued Educational Programs
• Counseling Assistance Services
• Crises Care Navigation
• GED Preparation Services
• Housing Assistance
• Job Preparation and Skills Training
• Member Share Grocery Program
• Primary and Preventive Health Care Services

The team spent the morning stocking and organizing groceries for the Member Share Grocery Program. Unlike a food pantry, the program operates like a fully functioning grocery store and is open seven days a week.

Families living at 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines or below are eligible for membership. They are able to select and purchase fresh, nutritious food items to meet their family’s needs and dietary restrictions, as well as toiletries and other household items at an extremely discounted rate.

This model provides a more dignified alternative than a handout and combats the limited food options available at food pantries. Any proceeds from those contributions are directed back into the support of facilitating UP Orlando’s life-changing programs.

Poston Communications recognizes the importance of giving back, and we were humbled with the opportunity to do our part in the Orlando community.

Contributed by Poston Communications’ Content Client Services Coordinator and Assistant Account Executive Zoë Ferqueron and Account Executive Mary Bryant Fleming. Both are based in Orlando.