Publix Super Markets Charities presented a $150,000 check to the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida for a new refrigerated truck Wednesday at the food bank’s Fort Myers Distribution Center, in an event attended by local elected officials, dignitaries and guests.
The gift was part of a $5 million donation to the Feeding America food bank network, of which Harry Chapin Food Bank is a member, as well as schools and other nonprofit organizations.
As the checks were presented at the Harry Chapin Food Bank’s Fort Myers Distribution Center Wednesday, about 50 Publix associates worked busily in the background, packing senior food boxes for distribution by the food bank.
Publix volunteers pack food kits for seniors.
“We are extremely grateful for the leadership of Publix in our work and that of so many others fighting hunger in Southwest Florida” said Richard LeBer, president and CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank.
Publix Vice Chairman Emeritus, Barney Barnett speaks at the Harry Chapin Food Bank’s Fort Myers Distribution Center.
Publix Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer David Phillips said, “Today Publix associates and Publix Charities representatives will visit 18 Feeding America member food banks and partner agencies throughout the Southeast to provide much needed support for organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank.”
The donation of $150,000 means that the food bank will be able to distribute more perishable food items to the community.
In Southwest Florida, the need is great. There are 151,610 people who are food insecure in the five-county area served by the Harry Chapin Food Bank: Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties, according to the 2019 “Map the Meal Gap” study by Feeding America. People who are food insecure often don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Of that number, 46,470 are children.