While the magic our crew members create at sea for our guests is spectacular, for many crew members, the magic they create on land in our port communities is just as special. Disney Wish crew members recently volunteered with The Children’s Hunger Project to support local students throughout Brevard County – the backyard of our homeport in Port Canaveral. The Children’s Hunger Project provides weekend and summer meals to local children in the county to fight childhood hunger and malnutrition.
Cheryl Cominsky, executive director of The Children’s Hunger Project, said during the summer months, children in our community are struggling to find their next meal. “For some children in our area, their primary food source is at school. Our food packages bridge the gap for those children during the weekends and in the summer.” Cominsky said support from organizations like Disney Cruise Line is critical to ensuring those children receive meals and proper nutrition.
According to The Children’s Hunger Project, childhood hunger leads to children having a weaker immune system and difficulty in learning and paying attention in class.
Crew members packed more than 500 meals that will be delivered to children throughout the county. Meal packages included kid-favorites like breakfast bars, apple sauce, fruit cups, canned meals, crackers and juice. Disney Wish assistant cruise director, Anacia, helped put together the meal packages, and shared that she is proud to work for a company that is committed to helping the community. “To be able to spend this time with the team and to do something so important and so special, it’s magical,” she added.
Disney Wish Captain Marco Nogara also joined the crew. “I’m very proud of my crew because they work hard and are volunteering here during their time off,” said Captain Marco. “Our crew members truly believe in this and what we do. It’s rewarding to be here together, giving back to the community we call home.”
In addition to packing meals, Disney Cruise Line made a donation to The Children’s Hunger Project that will go towards additional meal packages for students throughout the year.
Also this summer, Disney Wish crew members visited the Supply Zone for Teachers in Brevard County to help students and teachers gear up for the new school year. The team of Disney VoluntEARS helped the Supply Zone for Teachers team organize more than 75,000 items and filled hundreds of pencil cases with school supplies. Disney Cruise Line also made a donation to the Brevard Schools Foundation that will provide support for programs across the county throughout the school year.
By working with organizations like The Children’s Hunger Project and Brevard Schools Foundation, Disney Cruise Line is making a difference supporting the most critical needs for children and families in our port communities.