Provision Packs, an area non-profit agency committed to feeding hungry children since 2015, celebrated with its inaugural Black and White Gala at the Hard Rock Hotel in Daytona Beach on Jan. 22 its fundraising success and launched the Lightnin’ Legacy Endowment Fund.
Named in honor of Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton, Daytona International Speedway’s longest tenured-employee and a cherished community figure, the new fund will provide critical resources to expand Provision Pack’s reach, supporting additional schools and students facing food insecurity.
By increasing access to nutritious meals, the fund will empower children to focus on their education while fostering broader community involvement in the fight against hunger.
Carrie Torres, founder and executive director of Provision Packs, said, “The Black and White Gala was more than a night of celebration — it was a powerful call to action. With the launch of the Lightnin’ Epton Legacy Endowment Fund, we are securing the future of our programs, ensuring that we can serve more children and families for generations to come.
“One of the thoughts with this gala was I saw an opportunity to bring legacy and legend together. In doing an endowment that is a legacy plan. It is our 10-year birthday; we have now been feeding here in the community for 10 years.
Casey Epton Roush, Lightnin’s granddaughter, has been part of Provision Packs for six years and is the event coordinator.
“I thought what a great opportunity for us to highlight Lightnin’ to also have this endowment in her name, to keep her name in the community,” Ms. Torres said. “She was about servitude and hard work and commitment. For me it was honoring my friend’s family and keeping the name that built this community. It is our obligation to keep it going-the sense of community.”
With more than 200 attendees, the gala celebrated local “change-makers,” including award recipients who made a meaningful impact in the fight against childhood hunger.
Shea Williams, executive director of Michelle and Group, was named Advocate of the Year for her exceptional leadership in recruiting donors to support the mission. Brittani Preschel, CEO of D2 Advertising, was named Partner of the Year for her invaluable donation of services to amplify awareness and outreach. Larry and Andrea Frank, local philanthropists, were Golden Apple Award recipients for their generous investment in Provision Pack’s mission and their pivotal role in launching the endowment.
Provision Packs works with 13 schools in Flagler and East Volusia counties, assisting 863 children per week with plans to add three schools and 300 children to the program. The program follows the school year. The children often rely on the free and reduced lunch program at their school for their daily sustenance and nutrition. The goal, through the agency’s food packs, is to offer support and to relieve some of the burdens for both the parents and the children. Most importantly, the organization hopes the packs provide the blessing of nutrition and bring comfort to the children in this community so that youth can focus on their academics and become healthy, successful thriving adults.
“We are living in a society now in 2025 where there is a gap between the cost of living and the average income,” Ms. Torres said. “We are trying to help families close the gap. The teachers have said they have seen some really amazing things come out of a child being able to take that pack home. I am humbled to be honored with that responsibility of people’s donations and to offer them transparency to the work we do and raising awareness for all the wonderful organizations like ours in different aspects. It is all about community. It has been amazing in this time of 2025 to watch how we are all still working together to build a better tomorrow.”
Provision Packs needs volunteers weekly to help fill and deliver the packs to the partner schools.
For information, visit provisionpacks.org or email Eleanor King at digital@d2mfp.org.