In 2015, Carrie Torres, a volunteer at Pathways Elementary School in Ormond Beach, discovered that two of her daughter’s classmates were struggling with malnutrition due to severe poverty. This moment inspired her to create Provision Packs, a nonprofit aimed at providing nutritional support to low-income families in Volusia and Flagler counties. What began as a small initiative to help a few students has grown into a community-driven movement, now serving over 900 students across 11 schools by providing weekend meals to ensure families stay nourished throughout the week.
On Wednesday, Torres was honored as Volusia-Flagler’s “Most Influential Woman of the Year” at The Daytona Beach News-Journal/LocaliQ’s annual luncheon. She was overwhelmed by the recognition, giving credit to the many women who volunteer with Provision Packs. “This is for all of us, for all the women of Provision Packs,” she said, acknowledging their collective efforts to build a stronger community. As the organization’s executive director, Torres emphasized that the success of Provision Packs is a result of the collaborative work of volunteers, board members, and donors.
Provision Packs’ growth is a testament to the power of compassion and community collaboration. Alongside Torres, board members like Theresa Smith and Michelle Caldwell have been instrumental in shaping the organization’s success. Together, they ensure that families in need have access to the nourishment they deserve, showing that when a community unites for a common cause, lasting change is possible.