O’Quinn Insurance and Provision Packs work together in Volusia County, Florida, to close the child hunger gap. They reached their goal of 500 votes and doubled their donation to reach $10,000!
Imagine trying to learn a new math concept or read a book when all you can think about is how hungry you are. This is the reality for millions of children across America who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. School lunch programs help alleviate hunger during school hours – but what about weekends and extended school breaks?
That’s where Provision Packs comes in, closing the childhood hunger gap in Volusia County, Florida, since 2015. With the help of community donors and volunteers, Provision Packs distributes approximately 17,000 meals to 550 elementary school children every week.
“We want to give back to the community that has given so much to us.”
– Andrew Van der Brugt, principal and manager at O’Quinn Insurance
Impacting the community directly
For the O’Quinn Insurance team, working alongside Provision Packs is another great way they can give back to their community. “Provision Packs is local to all of our staff and clients,” said Andrew Van der Burgt, principal and manager at O’Quinn Insurance. “We want to give back to the community that has given so much to us.”
O’Quinn Insurance employees volunteer weekly to help fill the packs and distribute them to schools. They also participate in Provision Packs’ four major fundraisers throughout the year, setting up a community tent with a food or beverage giveaway and information about the agency.
A need that keeps on growing
The pandemic’s impact on the hunger gap was huge, making Provision Packs even more important in these children’s lives. As the service industry shut down, many parents in Volusia County were left without a stable income and school closures made childcare and meals even harder to come by.
“O’Quinn Insurance has been a true partner in helping close the hunger gap in our community.”
– Carrie Torres, founder of Provision Packs
Provision Packs quickly pivoted and organized a pick-up program at local schools so families could still get the meals they needed while children learned from home. “It’s up to all of us to make sure children have what they need to thrive,” said Provision Packs Founder Carrie Torres. “O’Quinn Insurance understands this responsibility and has been a true partner in helping close the hunger gap in our community.”
Andrew Van der Burgt of O’Quinn Insurance and Carrie Torres of Provision Packs work together to fill the packs on a Thursday evening.
Working together
If awarded $10,000, Provision Packs would designate the money toward its fresh fruit and vegetable fund. The fund supplies each child with a fresh fruit or vegetable, introducing some children to these nutritious foods for the very first time. “Childhood hunger feels big,” said Torres. “But together we can fight it … one pack at a time.”
Great Organization doing great work for kids
It’s fantastic to see an agency serving their community in such a positive way. Thank you!!
Such an amazing organization…congrats on making more happen!
Awesome work O’Quinn Insurance! Thank you for helping our community through your support of Provision Packs. You can help them win $10,000 too! Simply click the link to their story and share it to social media. #MakeMoreHappen
Such an amazing cause! Thank you for all you do to support the local community!
Thank you for your support of the local community!
Let’s go Provision Packs!
Let’s continue to close that gap!
Let’s go Provision Packs!
What a great Organization!!! This so wonderful to see a fantastic Agency serving their community and Kids in need!!
Amazing organization. Awesome to see what it does for the kids.
Awesome Organization! Always in the community and focused on helping others!
Thank you for all that you do for our community!
Thank you Liberty Mutual and SafeCo for making this possible!
OQUINN agency always helping others in the community.
They are very professional and efficient.
Provision Packs and Carrie Torres are such a blessing to our community! Her passion show in everything she does and we are honored to be a part of such an incredible organization.
Great agency – incredibly helpful during our recent move to FL – helping kids is just another great way they show what an amazing company they are! Great work OQuinn Insurance!!!!
What a great way to support our community!
Amazing cause, lets continue to help the community by supporting this organization!
This is a wonderful effort! I’d love to know how our church community garden can participate.
Thank you for all you do to support our local community!
Thank you for the amazing work you are doing in your community.
This is wonderful grassroots project that has grown from 3 or 4 packs a week to 570 this week. Provision Packs shows how we as community can help each other.
Such a worthy cause. No child should go hungry! Thanks Oquinns
It is always a joy to support and give a shout out to those who help children and anyone less fortunate. Thank you, O’Quinn Insurance!
This is awesome! Congratulations!
How wonderful that my insurance agency gives back to the community.
Great cause! Wishing you luck on continuing good work!
Thank you all that you do for the children!
Thank you for supporting our community.
Kudos to the O’Quinn Insurance team for their time and contributions to this awesome cause.
Thank you for supporting Provision Packs as they are a great organization!!!
What a great effort. So many needs to meet in our cities.
Great job and great agency! Love the positive message and impact for the local community. Thanks for all you do.
Great job O’Quinn Insurance
Way to go Andrew and team!!
Critical need and always room for more impactors. What about Flagler County. You have customers there as well.
Awesome work!
Such a wonderful local organization… and Thank You O’Quinn Agency for your community support!
Awesome organization!!
Awesome!! Keep up the good work!
You have my vote!
Congrats on your award O’Quinn Insurance and thank you for your work to help Provision Packs reach more children with nutritious food. Let’s do this!
Awesome job! Great cause!
Great organization and a critical cause!! Feeding our children’s bodies and healing their minds and souls! ☮️☺️
Great cause – you have my vote!
Thank you for supporting Provision Packs!!!
What a wonderful organization! Way to make more happen O’Quinn Insurance!
I’m so glad that our kids can rely on such a wonderful Organization! 🙂 Thank you for all your do! 🙂