Contributed
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the World Mission Society Church of God hosted a Veterans Food Drive on July 5th at Reiter Park in Longwood, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing together Central Florida communities to support military families facing food insecurity.
Church members from Longwood, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Leesburg, and Melbourne collected and gave donations to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, rallying local residents and businesses to donate non-perishable food items. This event is impactful as 1 in 5 veterans experience food insecurities in the U.S., equaling up to 1.4 million veterans.
By the end of the event, donations reached 4,018 pounds.
The event also served as a community gathering, featuring family-friendly activities such as food, face painting, and balloon art, drawing residents from across the Greater Orlando area.
The food drive builds on previous veteran outreach efforts. In 2025, a veteran appreciation concert was conducted in the VA in honor of Memorial Day as part of the church’s ongoing commitment to social welfare and community service.
Globally, the World Mission Society Church of God continues to lead humanitarian efforts aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including hunger relief and community support initiatives across multiple countries.
The organization emphasizes service as a core value, inspired by its teachings: “Even God came to serve, not to be served. When we serve one another without wanting to be served, God will be pleased.”
For more information about local volunteer efforts or upcoming events, visit https://seawmscog.org/
