🍅 From garden to lifeline

More than 30 years ago, Floridian Bill Brown planted a small vegetable garden. When the harvest came in bigger than expected, he shared the extras with his neighbors. 

And this simple act of generosity didn’t stop at the fence line—it grew into The Children’s Table, a nonprofit food bank that has since quietly fed thousands of families across Florida.

How the Children's Table works

On distribution days, the setup is simple: a suggested $10 donation gets families $100–$150 worth of groceries, no questions asked. And if someone can’t pay? They still leave with food.

• An average of around 200 cars pass through each week, some lining up more than an hour early. 
• The wait can stretch half a mile down the road, but the payoff—fresh produce, pantry staples, and a sense of community— is considered worth it.

“Mr. Bill” is still at the heart of it all. His food bank stretches across 10 counties, many of which are considered “food deserts” where access to fresh produce is scarce.

Oh, and did I mention that he’s 96?

When asked how he still does it week in-and-out, Mr. Bill shared that he’s simply “‘too busy to lay down and die.” The nonogenarian will continue to distribute food as long as he’s able.

Volunteers call him “a ray of sunshine in the darkness,” and CNN has nominated him as one of their 2025 Heroes. As for Bill? "Helping is contagious,” he said. “I’m privileged when I can help someone.”