Free Food Friday comes to Pine Island
In today’s tough economic times, for many area families it is a struggle to put nutritious meals on the table, but this Friday, everyone is encouraged to help fill their cupboards, thanks to a county-wide effort.
With the assistance of the Beacon of HOPE and the United Way, Community Cooperative Ministries Incorporation individuals and families are welcome to participate in this special event slated to take place at the Beacon on Friday, July 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. CCMI will be on hand with its mobile pantry where families in need can pick up nutritious meals to get them through the weekend. Items available will be canned vegetables, soups, ramen noodles and fresh vegetables all of which have been donated for the Pine Island event from the Harry Chapin Food Bank in Fort Myers. Also present will be the Salvation Army which will be preparing free hot meals.
“This is a joint community effort and we are pleased to be able to partner with CCMI to help our island neighbors,” said Beacon president, Betsy Haesemeyer. “While visiting us here at the Beacon, individuals and families also will be able to obtain information about other services available to them right here.”
Haesemeyer also is seeking volunteers to help during the Free Food Friday event.
“At this time of the year, many of our regular Beacon volunteers have gone north for the summer and anyone who can come on Friday to lend a hand will be more than welcome and appreciated,” Haesemeyer said.
To volunteer assistance for Free Food Friday, call the Beacon at 283-5123.
According to Marianne Hodges, director of Food Services for CCMI, on entering the Beacon of HOPE, at 5465 Pine Island Road near the island center, families and individuals will first be asked to fill out a brief needs assessment form and will then receive a coupon to redeem for groceries provided from the CCMI on site pantry. After picking up a weekend’s worth of food, those attending the event are then welcome to enjoy a hot meal prepared by members of the Lee County Salvation Army.
According to Jon Mayhugh, Director of Volunteer Services with CCMI, his group has been bringing food to dozens of communities throughout Lee County and, in recent weeks during a Free Food Friday held in Lehigh Acres, more than 400 members of that community turned out to pick up food.
“We have no idea as to how many people on Pine Island will show up for food, but we are always prepared and there is no fear that we will run out before everyone’s needs are met,” Mayhugh said. “In fact, after each event, we have had enough food left over to donate to a soup kitchen or food pantry within that same community and will do the same here on the island.”
According to Mayhugh, the summer Free Food Fridays were developed to help evaluate the needs of each individual community in Lee County.
Other locations have included Alva, Lehigh, Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach. Other outreach efforts supported by CCMI, a United Way agency, include soup kitchens, Meals on Wheels, Wake Up America, the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Family Health Centers, Goodwheels, Senior Friendship Centers and Child Care of Southwest Florida providing nutritious meals, groceries, transportation and other services to Lee County seniors, homeless, working poor, children and others. CCMI programs are supported financially by local faith-based organizations, service clubs, private donors and corporations.
For more information about Community Cooperative Ministries Incorporated, visit the website at ccmileecounty.com or call 332-7687.