An Osceola County group is lending a helping hand to the underprivileged youth.

  • Osceola County Food Angels holding food drive for students
  • More than 3,000 students part of Families in Transition
  • Food is given to students during weekends, holidays

There are more than 3,000 students part of FIT — Families in Transition — in Osceola County. These are children who are living in motels, cars or the woods. Osceola County Food Angels held a donation drive Sunday at the Office Max in Kissimmee, but it's an ongoing effort for the group.

There was a raffle at the drive to encourage people to give back, as well. The volunteers get together to hand out meals to students, especially during times when they don't have school lunch like spring break, holidays and weekends.

"The homeless problem is everywhere, but do you know what? Together, we can make a difference," said Mickie Starland, the president of Osceola County Food Angels. "If we all get together and focus on feeding these children, together we can make a difference. Together, we can help everybody."

Judi Lowell, a business partner coordinator for the School District of Osceola County, said they need everyone's help.

"It doesn't matter how big or how small," Lowell said. "A dollar, change — that money adds up so that we can go out and purchase food for these students."

Osceola County Food Angels puts out about 2,000 cases of food each year. The agency is currently in the process of becoming a nonprofit organization with the goal of branching out and helping more families.

Here are the drop-off locations if you want to donate food items:

  • Office Max at 3107 W. Vine St., Kissimmee
  • Plaza Del Sol at 3831 W. Vine St., Kissimmee
  • Firehouse Subs at 4554 13th St. G., St. Cloud
  • Oasis Ross Jeffries at 1200 Vermont Ave., St. Cloud