Harry Chapin Food Bank Feeding the Future: Leading the fight to end hunger in Southwest Florida

Building the Hunger Action Center

Harry Chapin Food Bank is building a new home for hunger relief in Fort Myers. With your support, the Hunger Action Center will help us provide more nutritious food to neighbors across Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.

Our Vision

A Vision for Ending Hunger in Southwest Florida

Rising living costs, natural disasters and economic uncertainty have left too many families in our community struggling to put food on the table. Harry Chapin Food Bank is on a mission to ensure no one in our region goes hungry.

The new Hunger Action Center is our answer to growing need: a relief hub that expands access to nutritious food and helps neighbors address the root causes of hunger. With your support, we can build a stronger, hunger-free future for generations.

See how food insecurity varies across our five counties.

Aerial view of the Hunger Action Center exterior during construction

The Need

Why We Need Your Support

A smiling woman carries two full bags of groceries at an outdoor mobile food distribution, with volunteers at tables of fresh produce behind her.

The Face of Hunger Has Changed

More families and individuals, many working full-time jobs, are facing food insecurity, including hospitality workers, healthcare professionals and first responders. Many are seeking help for the first time.

Need Keeps Growing

Demand for food assistance in our community continues to rise year after year.

The Time to Act Is Now

Our current warehouse limits how quickly we can grow to meet rising need. The Hunger Action Center is an investment in Southwest Florida, safeguarding our community against hunger for generations to come.

Feeding Our Neighbors in FY2026

These are Harry Chapin Food Bank's current impact figures across our existing programs and partners, not results from the Hunger Action Center, which is still under construction.

40 million

Pounds Distributed

33.4 million

Meals Provided to Neighbors

161

Partner Agencies

Reporting period: FY2026.

A New Era in Fighting Hunger

What the Hunger Action Center Will Make Possible

The Hunger Action Center is more than a building. It is a critical step toward a more resilient community, equipping us to fight hunger now and for decades to come.

Increased Food Distribution

More space to receive, sort and distribute food, so we can reach more neighbors as need grows.

Enhanced Storage

Additional cold and dry storage to hold more food, keep it organized and move it out faster.

Neighborhood Choice Pantry

A dignified, shopping-style experience where neighbors can choose fresh produce, proteins and other groceries.

Community Support Services

Dedicated space for services that help neighbors address the root causes of hunger.

Improved Volunteer Experience

Comfortable, flexible workspaces that support productivity and food safety.

Sustainability & Preparedness

Built for efficiency and readiness, so we can respond quickly when disaster strikes.

Strategic Location

Located near I-75 and State Road 82 to support faster, broader food distribution across our five-county region.

Hunger Action Center building shell under construction, with a crane on site

Progress

Construction Is Under Way

The Hunger Action Center is taking shape in Fort Myers.

Help Build a Hunger-Free Future

Your generosity is essential to bringing the Hunger Action Center to life and serving more neighbors across our five-county footprint.

Interested in other ways to give? Explore Ways to Give.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected].

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.