- December 4, 2025
Provision Packs Founder Carrie Torres speaks during the 22nd annual Power of the Purse. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Women United Committee Chair Emily Elliott speaks during the 22nd annual Power of the Purse. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Deborah Michaud sings the national anthem during the 22nd annual Power of the Purse. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Women United Co-Chairs Goddess Lawrence and Carleen Leffler. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Provision Packs Founder Carrie Torres speaks during the 22nd annual Power of the Purse. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Courtney Edgcomb, president and CEO of the CF UWVFC, speaks during the 22nd annual Power of the Purse. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
As Provisions Packs founder Carrie Torres stepped up to the podium to give her keynote speech at the 22nd annual Power of the Purse, she took a moment to pause and look out at the 350 people in the audience.
Since 2015, Torres has been working to ensure local children do not go without food. Her nonprofit supplies food items to children and families in need on the weekends and during extended school breaks. It started with one school, Pathways Elementary.
Provision Packs now reaches over 1,000 children a week at over 20 schools in Volusia and Flagler counties. That equates to 10,000 meals a week.
But she wasn't at Power of the Purse on Friday, Aug. 22, to just share her nonprofit's story. Torres said she wanted to invite the community into their story.
"This mission is my heart, but it is not mine alone," Torres said. "It has always been about this community, and what I knew we were able to do, and what we continue to do: Love our neighbor."
It takes half-a-million dollars a year and countless volunteers to help fulfill Provision Packs' mission, Torres said. The nonprofit doesn't ask families to provide documentation for proof of need.
"Week after week, we've grown, feeding children, helping families, and doing it all without red tape," Torres said. "... When a parent feels safe to say yes, they can say yes to food on the table, yes to peace of mind and yes to hope, and that's why we exist."
Earlier this year, thanks to help from the CF UWVFC, Provision Packs launched the Lightnin' Legacy Endowment Fund.
"Once people know they do," Torres said. "And the greatest thing about all of that is hunger may never disappear, but we can reduce it, and we'll be doing it for as long as it takes."
In 2024, 13.4% of people in Volusia County experienced food insecurity.
Every dollar raised at the Power of the Purse, which was held this year at The Shores Resort and Spa and expected to bring in over $50,000, goes to help families who fall under United Way's ALICE population — those who are asset limited, income constrained and employed.
"This event is more than a fundraiser," said Power of the Purse co-chair Goddess Lawrence. "It's a celebration of strength, resilience and a leadership of women in our community. Every dollar raised represents a step forward for someone who may be struggling."
As volunteers with Women United, Power of the Purse co-chai Carleen Leffler said the group isn't just about charity work.
"It's about creating lasting change in the lives of women and families right here in our community," she said. "Power of the Purse is a celebration, but it's so much more. It is a call to action."
Last year, CF UWVFC invested over $2.4 million in 112 nonprofits in the community, including Provision Packs.
"We're grateful that we're able to invest in solutions for families right here at home, thanks to the support of local businesses, generous individuals and participants and events like today," said Courtney Edgcomb, president and CEO of the CF UWVFC.
With Provision Packs having an endowment, Edgcomb said that is a "giant leap" into their mission.
"By committing to their future and investing in an endowment, they're making sure that kids 10 years from now will still have the benefit of the work that Provision Packs is doing," she said.
Thanks to community support, Provision Packs is taking another leap this year.
During her speech, Torres announced the start of a new umbrella organization, Feeding Soles, an initiative to provide well-fitting shoes to the children served by Provision Packs.
"A child who can walk into a classroom with shoes that fit will walk taller, learn better, dream bigger and all with a full belly of food, because each of you care," Torres said.
