School collects 971 pounds of food
Pine Island Elementary School has collected a history making number of cans for the Pine Island Food Pantry. Students collected 1,012 cans of food.
“This is an outstanding accomplishment because we’re talking about 971 pounds of food,” Dave Grueser said. “Last year we served 1,683 families; a total of 4,819 adults, children and seniors were provided food.”
Mrs. Manguson’s 2nd graders brought in the most food items 279! Second place was Mrs. Kunkel’s third graders with 119 food items.
The Pine Island Food Pantry has been on the island since 1995. The food pantry is located in the Life Center of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church on Stringfellow Road in Bokeelia.
The pantry serves residents of Pine Island and Matlacha. Islanders may use the pantry to pick up food once a month. All you need is two forms of I.D. Baked goods may be picked up anytime the pantry is open.
“I’d like to thank everyone who donated this past year to the pantry,” Grueser said. “Our pantry is totally dependent on local support and with an all-volunteer staff and housing expenses covered by the Catholic Church, 100 percent of donations go directly to help the needy. The pantry is a 501C3 charity and donations are tax deductible.”
The Food Pantry is open Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., closed on holidays.
“We are always looking for help with donations or food,” Grueser said. “Nonperishable food can be dropped off at the following locations: Winn-Dixie, V.F.W., American Legion, Moose, Stonegate Bank and the Matlacha Post Office. Donations can be mailed to Pine Island Food Pantry, 12175 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia, FL 33922.
For inquiries, call 239-443-6561 and leave a message.”