Christmas Carol Sing feeds the hungry
Residents who attended the Christmas Carol Sing at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers last Tuesday contributed plenty of canned goods to help The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative feed the hungry in Southwest Florida.
About 2,000 pounds of food was donated at the 25th annual Christmas Carol Sing sponsored and organized by the Galloway Family of Dealerships. The canned goods will be distributed immediately to families in need, according to event organizers.
“It is so gratifying to see our community coming together to help those less fortunate, especially during these economic times. The need has never been greater,” said event founder Sam Galloway, Jr. in a prepared statement.
About 2.000 people attended the three performances, which featured a sing-a-long with the First Presbyterian Church Choir, Brass Elements, special guest soloists, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Christmas Carol Sing is the third of three annual community sing-a-longs presented by First Presbyterian Church and sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships. The other two are Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing in February (planned next for Feb. 9) as part of the Edison Festival of Light and First Celebrates Freedom in July. All three events benefit The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative, which was founded by First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers in 1984.
The Christmas Carol Sing and two hymn sings are major sources of support for Community Cooperative, which works to end hunger and homelessness in Lee County with headquarters in Fort Myers, satellite offices in Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach, and mobile services throughout greater Lee County. Clients range from shut-ins, homeless families and individuals, to the working poor and children. In addition to serving upwards of 200,000 meals each year through Community Cafes and Meals on Wheels, it provides comprehensive life coaching and homeless services, oversees an emergency mobile food pantry and provides emergency food to hungry school children and their families through the Growing Healthy Kids School Pantry and Backpack Programs.
The agency partners with United Way, Harry Chapin Food Bank, Lee County School District and regional community foundations as well as with community and service groups, churches, businesses and other support organizations.
For more information about Community Cooperative, call (239) 332-SOUP or visit twww.ccmileecounty.com.