The first-ever Let’s Feed Lee food drive, held Saturday at 35 Publix Super Markets in Lee County, brought in a preliminary estimate of 40,000 pounds of food and $4,000 in donations to support the Harry Chapin Food Bank and its partner agencies!
The food drive was the result of a partnership among the food bank, Publix and the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties. Participants were able to purchase most-needed items for food bank clients, using a shopping list given out by food drive volunteers, and donate the items as they left the store. The total is preliminary because numbers from several stores have yet to be tallied.
“Today was another inspiring example of what makes our community so wonderful,” said Richard LeBer, food bank president and CEO. “Hundreds of volunteers, about 20 organizations, our good friends at Publix, and thousands of Publix customers all came together to take care of their neighbors. How great!”
In Lee County, 87,840 people are food insecure, according to the 2018 Map the Meal Gap study conducted by the Feeding America network of food banks, which includes the Harry Chapin Food Bank. People who are food insecure often don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Of that number, 26,930 are children.
About United Way of Lee County
The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee has raised and distributed over $167 million since it was established in 1957.
All money raised in the United Way campaign stays in the local community to help support the local human service network. United Way Partner Agencies and initiatives include: The Alvin A Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, Partners for Breast Cancer Care, Harry Chapin Food Bank, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and United Way 211, to mention a few. These agencies serve a diverse range of needs in our community such as nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, and meeting critical needs like helping the elderly and disabled live independently, and empowering communities by bringing health and human services to neighborhoods.
In addition to raising funds for human service organizations in our community, the United Way promotes partnerships and collaborations among agencies and initiatives, helping them to work together focusing on issues and solutions that continue to improve lives. For more information please call United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee at (239) 433-2000 or visit www.UnitedWayLee.org.