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From Heartfelt Volunteer to Community Leader: Carrie Torres Named Volusia-Flagler's Most Influential Woman
In 2015, Carrie Torres, a volunteer at Pathways Elementary School in Ormond Beach, discovered that two of her daughter’s classmates were struggling with malnutrition due to severe poverty. This moment inspired her to create Provision Packs, a nonprofit aimed at providing nutritional support to low-income families in Volusia and Flagler counties. What began as a small initiative to help a few students has grown into a community-driven movement, now serving over 900 students across 11 schools by providing weekend meals to ensure families stay nourished throughout the week.
On Wednesday, Torres was honored as Volusia-Flagler's "Most Influential Woman of the Year" at The Daytona Beach News-Journal/LocaliQ's annual luncheon. She was overwhelmed by the recognition, giving credit to the many women who volunteer with Provision Packs. "This is for all of us, for all the women of Provision Packs," she said, acknowledging their collective efforts to build a stronger community. As the organization’s executive director, Torres emphasized that the success of Provision Packs is a result of the collaborative work of volunteers, board members, and donors. Provision Packs' growth is a testament to the power of compassion and community collaboration. Alongside Torres, board members like Theresa Smith and Michelle Caldwell have been instrumental in shaping the organization’s success. Together, they ensure that families in need have access to the nourishment they deserve, showing that when a community unites for a common cause, lasting change is possible. |
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8th Annual Backpack Bash a Huge Success
The 8th annual Backpack Bash was a resounding success, with an amazing turnout from our community! Thanks to your generosity and support we were able to raise enough money for 14,000 packs, and 126,000 meals which will sustain over 11 weeks of nourishment for the local children in need. Your contributions are making a real difference in the lives of hungry kids right here in our area.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who participated, volunteered, sponsored and donated to this vital cause. Together, we are helping ensure that no child goes to bed hungry. Thank you for your continued support and for being a part of this incredible effort to feed our community’s future! As we reflect on this year’s success, we’re excited to continue our mission of providing meals to children who may otherwise go without. The Backpack Bash may be over, but the need is ongoing. We encourage you to stay involved and help us make an even bigger impact next year. Every meal packed and donated counts towards a brighter future for our kids. |
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Join the Fight Against Childhood Hunger at the 8th Annual Backpack Bash!
Get ready for a fantastic night at the 8th Annual Backpack Bash on Saturday, September 21st, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Forever Ranch, 3600 FL-40, Ormond Beach! Join us for an evening of delicious food from local restaurants, engaging outdoor games, and lively music, all in support of Provision Packs, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting childhood hunger in our community. For just $50 per person, you’ll enjoy a festive atmosphere filled with fun activities, a huge silent auction, and performances by local favorites. Every ticket purchased directly supports Provision Packs' mission to provide nutritional assistance to low-income children and their families. Since 2015, we've worked tirelessly to ensure that children who rely on school meals don’t go hungry on weekends and extended breaks. With 1 in 5 children facing food insecurity in Central Florida, your participation is more important than ever. Our program serves over 900 children each week, delivering well-rounded nutritional food packs that help alleviate the burdens of hunger, allowing kids to focus on their studies and thrive. Join us at the Backpack Bash to celebrate community spirit and make a real difference in the lives of children who need it most. Click here to purchase your tickets and learn more about how you can help combat childhood hunger. We can’t wait to see you there! |
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Provision Packs Launches Campaign to Expand Food Supply Amid Growing NeedSince the pandemic, Provision Packs has struggled to maintain a steady food supply, despite the crucial support of Second Harvest. Each Wednesday morning, volunteers gather at Sam’s Club to purchase truckloads of food, but the organization still has over 1,000 children on its waitlist. With over 11,000 meals distributed weekly, the challenge of maintaining a reliable supply in a post-COVID world persists.
To address this, Provision Packs is launching a campaign to renovate their warehouse with new shelving and equipment, aiming to raise $25,000. These upgrades will allow the nonprofit to receive larger shipments, easing the strain on volunteers and ensuring they can continue feeding the children who depend on their program. Want to learn more? Click here. To donate and support this campaign, click here. |
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Provision Packs celebrates expansion into Flagler County - March 11, 2020
With a focus on battling childhood hunger, the Ormond Beach-based nonprofit Provision Packs is off to a strong start with their expansion into Flagler County. Welcoming guests and supporters for a leisurely fundraiser on Sunday, Provision Packs’ founder Carrie Torres introduced the organization to the community, receiving a warm reception. Hosted at the Yacht Harbor Village in Palm Coast, Dr. John Hickory and wife, Carol Hickory, said it was an invitation from their neighbor Rick Meyer, a staunch supporter and volunteer for the program, that brought them out. Read more here. |
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Provision Packs Expands to Palm Coast to feed
Rymfire Elementary students - March 2, 2020 As Rick Meyer volunteered with Provision Packs to help feed hungry kids in Ormond Beach, he knew Palm Coast kids needed help, too. Provision Packs, founded in Ormond by Carrie Torres, sends food home with children on the weekends, with the knowledge that some kids only eat at school and don't have food at home. In 2015 she started the program feeding two children; the number is now more than 500. Read more here. |
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Provision Packs for kids extends reach into Flagler County - February 12, 2020
Carrie Torres is on a mission to make sure no child goes hungry and on Friday night the founder and executive director of Provision Packs got a helping hand from some Flagler County businesses as she and her team took their first step towards establishing a footprint in the county. Welcoming the nonprofit, based in Ormond Beach since 2015, several area businesses teamed up to launch “The Lunchbox Initiative,” creating, printing and selling branded T-shirts at Fortis Workshop and Country Road & Co. Boutique locations on 2nd Street in Flagler Beach on Friday night. Read more here. |
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Community comes together to help fight childhood hunger - November 21, 2019
One in five children in Central Florida is at risk of going hungry tonight. This week’s Getting Results Award winner is doing her best to change that. Carrie Torres founded Provision Packs Pantry five years ago after seeing childhood hunger firsthand. “I still tear up because it really and truly is the day my life changed,” Torres said. Read more here. |
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Provision Packs Founder Named Citizen of the Year - October 21, 2019
It's more than a bag of food. For Ormond Beach resident and Provision Packs founder Carrie Torres, one bag of food means investing in the future of local children. It means empowering the children to help feed their family and coming back to school after the weekend at their best. Without worrying about food, Torres said, the students can think about being a kid. Read more here. |
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Provision Packs to help 200-300 children in elementary schools fight hunger - August 14, 2017
When Ormond Beach resident Carrie Torres volunteered at her daughter’s second grade pajama pancake party at Pathways Elementary, she was shocked to hear of a couple kids in the classroom that were allowed to have as many pancakes as they wanted because that would be the only meal they would be able to eat that day. “Childhood hunger isn’t defined by a zip code,” Torres said. Read more here. |
