Serving Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties Winter 2018 — Vol. XVIII, No. 1

Still Time to Join 35 Years of Feeding SW , Hunger Walk 2018! As the Need Continues to Grow In just a few weeks, more When the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Proud milestones along the way: than 1,000 friends of the opened its doors as the 1985: Becomes Southwest Florida Harry Chapin Food Bank Lee County Food Cooperative in 1983, who Food Bank. will participate in the 2018 could have imagined that 35 years later the 1990: Affiliates with America’s Second WINK Feeds Families Hunger Food Bank would distribute 22,300,000 Harvest, now known as Feeding America Walk. You can make a dif- pounds of food in a single year? — the national organization of food banks. The Food Bank’s reach has grown from 1993: Begins food distribution in Col- ference on Saturday morn- a handful of partner agencies to more than lier County. ing, Jan. 20, at Miromar 150 today. Through food pantries, soup 1994: Named Harry Chapin Food Bank Outlets in Estero. Sign up kitchens, emergency shelters and disaster of Southwest Florida, a tribute to the late now — yourself or a team — relief agencies, the Food Bank keeps hun- singer who passionately fought hunger. at winkhungerwalk.com. ger at bay for nearly160,000 individuals 2009: First refrigerated truck is packed (50,000 of them children) each year. They with fresh produce. may be laid off, underemployed, dealing 2009: Debuts WINK Feeds Families with illness, trying to recover lost wages Hunger Walk, raising $50,000. Last year, or facing damages to home and property. this signature event brought in $325,000! “We’re still here leading 2009: Moves to its present our community in the fight 55,000-square-foot ware- to end hunger,” said Richard Support our house and offices on Fowler LeBer, president and CEO. mission to end Street, with room to expand. This anniversary year, the hunger by 2010: Launches mobile Food Bank is more deeply donating today! pantry program, with a major committed than ever to its goal of increasing distribution vision that “no one has to go of fresh food. hungry.” 2012: Begins operating from a ware- Teams rev up for last year’s Walk. A United Way partner agency, “the Food house in Naples. Bank is doing a tremendous job of expand- 2015: Starts federal Commodity Coming in April... ing its programs and working with its Supplemental Food Program for seniors affiliated agencies to feed hungry children, for the first time in Florida. ‘A Place at the Table’ families, elderly and individuals,” said 2017: Launches Care & Share: Senior Dinner Debuts Cliff Smith, president, United Way of Lee, Feeding Campaign and moves to larger Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee. “The space in Collier County. The Harry Chapin Food Bank tremendous passion for feeding people 2017: Distributes 22.3 million pounds hunger dinner debuts on exhibited by the staff, board and volunteers of food at end of fiscal year (June 30) — April 19, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. make them truly a role model for all of us.” 25 percent more than in 2013! at our Collier County Center. “Food-secure” and “food- A Few Faces of Those You’ve Helped... insecure” guests will engage each other with experiences and issues around hunger. Make plans to be there by calling Miriam Pereira at (239) 334-7007, ext. 127. ‘We Are up to the Challenge’ I hope the new year will be a good one for you. I also hope that you, your family and neighbors are recovering well from Hurricane Irma. Many of us still have a lot of recovery ahead. Some neighborhoods were severely affected and have not re- 3760 Fowler St. turned to normal. Even in neighborhoods where the storm was Fort Myers, Florida 33901 kind, people are struggling. Evacuation, lost hours at work and 3940 Prospect Ave., #101 many repairs have taken their toll. Naples, Florida 34104 Richard LeBer, Harry Your Food Bank has been very busy! In the month follow- Phone: (239) 334-7007 Chapin Food Bank ing Irma, we distributed 3.9 million pounds of food and con- President and CEO harrychapinfoodbank.org ducted 72 mobile distributions. That’s two-to-three times our Board of Directors normal level of activity. I am so proud of our team, all of our community partners Chair and our donors. The outpouring of love and generosity we experienced after the ANNE ROSE storm truly touched our hearts. (See “Recover” article, page 3.) Lee Health Even as we cope with the aftermath of the storm, we also expect challenges from Vice Chair Washington, D.C. The proposed new tax rules, which Congress was weighing at BILL M. DILLON Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney press time, will likely add stress to many working families, who will need our help. and Fowler White Boggs As well, the new rules will create fundraising challenges for nonprofits like us. Treasurer However, we are resolute in our determination to meet the needs of hungry mem- JEFFREY MADDOX bers of our community. We are up to the challenge. Thank you for your support! Maddox Construction Company Secretary JOHN D. CLINGER Clinger, Sizemore & Associates Welcome New Staff to the Food Bank... Anna Suarez (below) is director of hu- worked for minor league baseball teams Members at Large DAVID FRY man resources and administration. The (most recently the Fort Myers Miracle) in Dwell Florida native of Peru spent 21 years with media positions that include team president, gen- JAN-ERIK HUSTRULID company Gannett. eral manager and minority owner. He began Owen-Ames-Kimball Company Her past volunteer volunteering at the Food Bank in 2012 and C. ROBERT LEADBETTER work included the served on the marketing work group. MARK LEVINE Food Bank’s human Starkweather & Shepley After five years of va- Insurance Brokerage resources commit- tee, as well as board cations in Cape Coral, MAURA MATZKO circumstances allowed PAT NEVINS member for Edison Festival of Light. warehouse manager JAMES A. NOLTE Dennis Hall (left) and Wells Fargo Advisors This “almost native” his wife to move here. KAYLA RICHMOND Henderson, Franklin, Starnes (his family moved Formerly assistant & Holt, P.A. here when he was a warehouse manager BIANCA ROSS child), John Kuhn for a large dairy in Representing Hendry County (left) is the Food Pennsylvania, he also brings 20 years of ex- P. KEITH SCOGGINS, Jr. Bank’s special events perience coaching youth sports — football, Attorney manager. He has basketball, baseball and softball. LOIS THOME WINK News Emeritus Board Our Mission... To lead our community in the fight to end hunger. JOHN B. McCLAY (deceased) JOHN POELKER (Emeritus chair) Our vision... No one has to go hungry in our community.

Richard LeBer CONTACT US TO DONATE, VOLUNTEER A member of President and CEO or SCHEDULE A TOUR: (239) 334-7007 Miriam Pereira, Development Partner Agency

Mary Wozniak Look for Marketing/Communications us on: Marta Hodson, Special Events

Tanya Phillips, Volunteers A copy of the Food Bank’s official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state. For more information, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs at 1-800-435-7352 or visit freshfromflorida.com. Maxine Golding, Newsletter Editor 2 Donate easily and securely at harrychapinfoodbank.org ‘Recover, Rebuild, Restore’ Campaign Family Volunteer Day: Brings Our Community Together Fun and Serious In a record six weeks, the Harry Chapin Food Bank’s volunteer coordinator Tanya Delayed by Hurricane Irma, Family Food Bank’s “Recover, Rebuild, Restore” Phillips. Volunteer Day (photo below) was campaign, initiated after Hurricane Irma, rescheduled for Nov. 18, drawing Boston Red Sox Pitch In raised more than $590,000! The campaign a crowd of parents with children About 70 members of the Boston Red Sox galvanized the Southwest Florida commu- over 10 years of age to the Fort organization — including minor league nity into action, bringing people together Myers warehouse. They toured the players, coaches and club officials — vol - in an “organized frenzy.” Here’s what we facility, took family photos, colored unteered in the warehouse and at a mobile all accomplished together… greeting cards and bagged pro- pantry. “It’s my pleasure doing something duce, as they learned about ways Ramping Up Mobile Pantries for the com- they can help overcome hunger in In just 11 days between Sept. 9 (the day munity,” said our local communities. before Hurricane Irma hit) and Sept. 20, the coach Walter You, too, can participate! Food Bank received Miranda. And Call (239) 334-7007. and distributed 49 Katie Haas, semi-tractor trailer vice president truckloads of disas- of Florida busi- ter relief supplies ness operations, — totaling nearly 2 said that part- million pounds of nerships with food, water and ice. organizations Within 12 days, like the Harry Chapin Food Bank “allow the Food Bank Red Sox players and staff to assist where sent 41 emergency there is the greatest amount of need.” mobile pantries NetJets and NCEF Day of Service into our five-county The entire sales force from the central and service area. Since 544,000 Meals southwestern regions of NetJets teamed then, the Food Bank is averaging 26 to with the Naples Children & Education Over a Decade! 30 mobile pantries per month, compared Foundation (NCEF) — founders of the Supporters of the Harry Chapin to the usual 15 to 17. In City, Naples Winter Wine Festival — for a day Food Bank for 10 years, Garden the Food Bank is sending a mobile pantry of service at the Naples warehouse. It was Street Companies this year each week until the church food pantry about giving back donated 25 percent of November (deluged with 6 feet of water) can reopen. to the community sales at their U-Pull-It location. On A third monthly mobile pantry was added in a time of need. Dec. 1, they presented the Food in Lehigh Acres. Each mobile pantry feeds The volunteers Bank with a check for $37,608.57, up to 250 families. packed 12,321 which will provide more than Helpers Arrive From All Over pounds of 150,000 meals! We thank owners A group of five people from St. Peters- produce. NetJets Rob and Linda Weber for their burg, Fla., showed up with a trailer full is sponsor and donations of 544,000 meals over of community-donated food. The trailer exclusive private the past decade. belonged to a roofing company called Low aviation partner Slope Solutions, and was brought down by of the festival. Bank of America Amanda Holdup and her family. NCEF also sponsors Food Bank mobile Fights Hunger Beth Tatro (right) arrived from the pantries in Collier County. For the sixth year, Bank of Ameri- Good Shepherd Food ca with the Feeding America net- Bank in Auburn, Me., work supported the Harry Chapin where she is volunteer COME VISIT... Food Bank locally through its coordinator. When a The Food Bank’s Collier County nationwide Give A Meal program. disaster hits, members of Center invites the Naples commu- For every dollar donated, the Bank Feeding America’s net- nity and partner agencies to visit on of America Charitable Foundation work of 200 food banks Feb. 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for gave $2 more, up to $1.5 million set out to help each other. a close-up view of the new ware- across the country. So Tatro assisted our house and on-site facilities. 3 Remember that the Food ‘Care & Share’ Gets Matching Grant Bank can turn every Launched last spring, the Harry Chapin to “Care & Share” from donors in Collier $1 donated into $8 Food Bank’s Care & Share: Senior Feed- and Lee counties. The Food Bank’s goal is in food value! ing Campaign has been a rousing success. to fulfill the match by June 30. It provides much-needed supplemental This program, operating through 34 Publix Donates food monthly to 2,200 low-income seniors agencies, gives each senior at risk of food in Charlotte, Collier and Lee counties. insecurity two bags, or kits, a month filled Mobile Pantry Truck Now, a grant from the Richard M. with age-appropriate food. These include A $150,000 grant from Publix Su- Schulze Family Foundation will match cheese, shelf-stable milk, a canned protein per Market Charities will purchase up to $300,000 in donations to the Food like chicken or tuna, juice, a cereal item a new refrigerated mobile pantry Bank when they are specifically targeted (such as oatmeal or grits), canned vegeta- truck to support food distributions bles (low-sodium) and fruit (no-sugar-add- in under-served communities. As ed), and low-sodium soups. Much of the part of the grant award, the Food time, the Food Bank adds fresh produce Bank will host 48 mobile pantries and bread to the kits. The soups have been to serve children. Each provides especially appreciated, because they are food for about 250 families. We are ready to eat. so grateful to Publix for its support! Donors can confidently direct their funds to this campaign because 97 cents of every donated dollar goes directly to feed Senior Sam receives Care & Share bags. those in need in Southwest Florida.

Help us make the most of this matching grant by directing your donation to Care & Share: Senior Feeding Campaign.

One family helped by a mobile pantry Food Bank Launches In-School Pantries distribution after Hurricane Irma. To Reach More Food-Insecure Children Baker Center, which provides early distributions planned throughout the Gift Cards, Turkeys childhood programs in Charlotte County, school year. The available food ranges Brighten Holidays became the site of the first in-school pan- from fresh meat and produce to canned Our friends and neighbors heard try in Southwest Florida set up and fully goods, peanut butter and jelly, pasta and our “Call for Turkeys” and came operated by the Harry Chapin Food Bank. sauces. through, donating 824! The tur- More are planned to open in 2018. In 2015, The Mosaic Company spon- keys were in addition to $37,500 Baker Center serves approximately 360 sored an in-school pantry only for Baker in $10 gift cards (designated for children, from newborns to 3-year-olds in Center students. Supported by private holiday meals) that the Food Bank Early Head Start and the 3- and 4-year-olds donors, this new pantry widens that scope. purchased to distribute to families in Head Start. “We let all parents at orientation know through partner agencies. Then, The pantry program, part of the Food about the pantry opening,” said Natalie 330 more gift cards were do- Bank’s five-year stra- (Nicky) James, family nated by Naples-based Wasmer, tegic plan, is modeled services specialist, early Schroeder & Company, LLC and on Feeding America’s childhood programs, Baker their employees. School Pantry program. Center. “A lot more people (Feeding America is the will be helped.” Special Thanks... national network of food The Food Bank • Temple Shalom’s congregation, banks.) It targets public separately supplies food which has supported the Food schools where more than to partner agencies that Bank since 2002, raised $12,697 75 percent of students re- manage seven in-school during High Holy Days services. ceive free or reduced-price pantries in Lee and Collier • Cape Coral Police Depart- breakfast and lunch. counties. Future in-school ment’s Holiday Heroes Food The first food distribu- pantries are planned for Drive brought in 14,000 pounds of tion took place in October, Immokalee and Charlotte food and $1,000 in donations. with every-other-Thursday County. Monthly giving is a great way to support the Food Bank! 4 Harry Chapin Food Bank Photo Gallery Find more photos at harrychapinfoodbank.org

People lined up for Food Bank mobile pantry distributions (above right) that helped in the recovery from Hurricane Irma. Children sent thank-you notes (above left) for the food, water, ice, toiletries and more they received. “All together we make a family,” read one. Wells Fargo Advisors’ Nov. 14 dinner honoring “Hurricane Heroes and Helpers” drew more than 240 attendees. The Harry Chapin Food Bank was honored alongside North Collier Fire & Rescue, St. Matthew’s House and Naples Zoo. Senior Food Bank staff there were (l-r): Kari Lefort, Miriam Pereira, Richard LeBer and Anna Suarez. Separately, Wells Fargo Advisors’ branches in Naples and Fort Myers presented a $10,000 donation to the Food Bank.

hat can your company Wdo to help the Harry Chapin Food Bank fight hun- ger in our communities? To Fifteen volunteers from Wells Fargo Advisors participated in three packing and sorting learn more, call Tanya Phil- events on Saturdays in August and September. “They know that fighting hunger is not a lips: (239) 334-7007 x141. one-time thing,” said Amanda Gardiner, branch manager of Cape Coral Parkway location and president of its volunteer chapter for west Florida. ‘Why I Volunteer for the Food Bank...’ Public Radio Feeds Families! Lori Adamchek: “I was interested in volun- In December, WGCU FM held its six-day teering around hunger insecurity, and after “Feed Public Radio...Feed a Family” cam- searching online, I found the Harry Chapin paign. Thanks to the Al & Nancy Burnett Food Bank. Food is a basic human need, Charitable Foundation, a portion of and I feel strongly that no one should be every pledge made during that campaign was matched by 6 percent, with the match hungry in the wealthiest country on earth.” benefiting the Harry Chapin Food Bank. And the radio station announced it would Robert Perlmuter: “I sort and pack frozen host a mobile pantry in one of the areas products at the warehouse two mornings hardest-hit by Hurricane Irma. a week. I’m fortunate not to need the Food Bank to support me. But too many people Tour the Food Bank out there need help. I want to be a giver, warehouse and learn how you can make a difference! so that’s why I’ve volunteered here for six Call (239) 334-7007. years.” 5 Remember the Harry Chapin Food Bank in your estate planning. had to ask for help before, but with mount- Jewish Federation’s Food Pantry ing medical bills, she didn’t know how Here to Help, No Questions Asked she was going to pay for things,” Sack explained. “She was in tears and very ap- A valued tenet in the Jewish faith is Also, the pantry receives a portion of the preciative, promising to help others when “tzedekah,” interpreted as the obligation to food collected at an inter-denominational she got on her feet again.” give aid and assistance to the needy. Thanksgiving service — to which the entire As for the Food Bank staff, “they are The food pantry at the Jewish Fed- community is invited by sponsors Temple wonderful,” she said. “This year they gave eration of Lee and Charlotte counties Judea, Temple Beth-El, Iona-Hope Episco- us some Publix gift cards to give to families embodies “tzedekah.” Between 60 and pal Church, Cypress Lake United Meth- at Thanksgiving. So we try to support the 70 families, individuals and seniors each odist Church, Cypress Lake Presbyterian Food Bank in as many ways as we can.” month receive food from food drives and Church and Quality Life Center. monetary donations throughout the year As a partner agency of the Harry Chapin from area synagogues and other members Food Bank, the Jewish Federation serves Fight Hunger of the community. people of all faiths who “may be having a With a Planned Gift hard time, facing a medical emergency, or Carolyn Gora lost a job, ” said Leni Sack, program direc- You can continue your support of (rght), board tor. “We don’t ask questions. If someone is the Harry Chapin Food Bank when member, and you make a planned gift. volunteer Judith in need of food, we are here to help them.” Yevick work in During three Jewish holidays — Rosh Explore the opportunities with your the food pantry Hashanah (the new year), Chanukah and attorney and/or financial advisor. at the Jewish Passover — the Jewish Federation deliv- You will be helping to ensure that Federation of ers 200 gift bags to seniors, adding bags of your neighbors in need do not go Lee and Char- lotte counties. food for those “we know have difficulties.” hungry. Many people who receive the food are Contact Kelli King at (239) 334- upset or embarrassed that they need this 7007 x202 or kelliking@harry- help. One woman came to the food pantry chapinfoodbank.org.

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