Hundreds of volunteers in Orlando marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by giving back to those in need on Friday.

Employees from four of Central Florida’s largest companies and foundations gathered at the Central Florida Fairgrounds to pack 210,000 healthy, non-perishable meals for individuals and families facing hunger across the region.

9/11 Day is the nonprofit that successfully advocated for the formal establishment of Sept. 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance under federal law — making it the largest annual day of charitable service in U.S. history. This year marked the first time Orlando joined the 9/11 Day Meal Pack.

Brianna Mayhew, with 9/11 Day, said the event is about recapturing the spirit of unity that defined the response to the attacks 25 years ago.

“Today is really a day to honor all the ways that people showed up for each other without question, without thought, to do good for their neighbor. And we lose that in a lot of life in the chaos of every day. So, this is our way to do that and give people the opportunity,” Mayhew said.

Major sponsors included Central Florida Foundation, Comcast/Universal, Delta, Duke Energy, Holland & Knight, Lockheed Martin, Raise the Roof Foundation and Target.

September is also Hunger Action Month, and the need in Central Florida is urgent. According to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, one in seven people in the region faces hunger — including one in five children.

Volunteers donated all 210,000 meals packed directly to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to help fight food insecurity in the community.

The event opened with a moment of silence led by City of Orlando Fire Department Chaplain Crawford, followed by an a cappella performance of “America the Beautiful.”