Inside LuxaDaisy’s Volunteer Experience with Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County

How were 163,547 pounds of food reclaimed for the benefit of the community?

Through coordination, kindness, and community.

That was the heart of what the LuxaDaisy team witnessed while volunteering with Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County at Natural Products Expo West at the Anaheim Convention Center. What seemed almost impossible at first, an enormous amount of food needing to be recovered, sorted, and moved, became something very real through thoughtful planning, generous exhibitors, and volunteers willing to step in and help.

Second Harvest played a vital role in making an effort like this possible. With a clear system in place, their team helped coordinate the recovery and movement of donated food so it could serve local families, seniors, and children instead of going to waste. It was the kind of work that required both structure and heart, and throughout the day, both were easy to see.

Natural Products Expo West created a unique opportunity for this kind of impact. With so many exhibitors showcasing food, beverages, and wellness products, there was a significant amount of leftover product at the close of the event. Rather than allowing that food to be discarded, many exhibitors chose to donate it. Their generosity became the starting point, and from there, the work of reclaiming that food became a community effort.

From the moment the LuxaDaisy team arrived, the atmosphere felt organized, upbeat, and welcoming. Everyone gathered in a meeting room to receive instructions, and safety vests and gloves were provided before the work began. There was energy in the room, along with a strong sense of shared purpose. The morning began with clear instructions, a fun round of the wave, team assignments, and group selfies before everyone headed to the convention center floor.

Once the work started, the scale of the operation quickly came into view. Volunteers sorted frozen, refrigerated, and shelf-stable items, moved large boxes, and adapted throughout the day as more donations were identified. Pallets stacked with product and pallet jack drivers moving boxes into place added to the pace and rhythm of the effort. There was a lot happening at once, yet everything moved with impressive coordination.

One of the most memorable parts of the day was the human chain. Volunteers lined up side by side, passing boxes from one person to the next to keep food moving quickly and efficiently. It was simple, effective, and powerful to witness. In that moment, the larger story came into focus. That was how big things got done. Person by person. Box by box.

The exhibitors were an important part of that story as well. Many were accommodating and generous, helping identify products for donation, marking leftover items with donation stickers, and directing volunteers toward food that could still be used. Their willingness to participate helped turn excess into opportunity and ensured that good food could go where it was needed most.

In total, 163,547 pounds of food were rescued through the effort, with help from 104 volunteers at the Expo and 3 additional volunteers at the distribution center. It was an incredible number, but being there made it feel even more meaningful. It was a visible example of what could happen when organizations, businesses, and volunteers came together with a shared commitment to the community.

For the LuxaDaisy team, it was an honor to be part of that effort. We were proud to lend our time to something so practical, collaborative, and impactful. The day served as a reminder that community care often looked like action, coordination, generosity, and people being willing to help wherever they were needed.

And in this case, it helped move 163,547 pounds of food toward a better purpose.