Volunteers Power The Harry Chapin Food Bank
Volunteers make it possible for the food bank to feed a quarter of a million people a month in Southwest Florida.
Volunteers sort and pack donations of food at our Fort Myers and Naples distribution centers, distribute food at mobile pantries and collect donations at food drives, to mention just a few ways they make the food banks mission possible.
To find out if your volunteer hours can be matched by your company, please contact us at or call 334-7007. If you are in need of community service hours and would like to apply as a court-mandated volunteer, .
Please note: All volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes. Weekday opportunities at Harry Chapin Food Bank warehouses have a minimum age requirement of 16. Saturday volunteering at HCFB locations have a minimum age requirement of 14, and 14-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult.
Our Volunteers Are The Backbone Of Our Success Growth And Sustainability
Our members can accommodate all group sizes and individuals seeking volunteer opportunities. We provide the necessary safety training, supervision, and personally rewarding volunteer activities. Activities vary depending on your skills, availability and size of your group.
All Faiths Food Bank De Soto, Sarasota Counties941.379.6333 | 8171 Blaikie Court Sarasota FL 34240
Americas Second Harvest of the Big Bend Taylor, Wakulla, Calhoun ,Franklin, Gadsden,Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison Counties850.562.3033. | 4446 Entrepot Boulevard Tallahassee, FL 32310Bread of the Mighty Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy Counties352.336.0839 | 325 NW 10 Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601Feeding Northeast Florida Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, Saint Johns Counties604.513.1333 | 1116 Edgewood Ave N, Units D/E Jacksonville, FL 32254Feeding South Florida Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach Counties954.518.1818 | 2501 SW 32 Terrace Pembroke Park, FL 33023Feeding Tampa Bay Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Polk, Sumter Counties813.254.1190 | 4702 Transport Drive, Building 6 Tampa, FL 33605Feeding the Gulf Coast Bay, Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, Washington Counties850.626.1322 | 5709 Industrial Boulevard Milton, FL 32583
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Thank You For Joining Harry Chapin Food Bank Of Southwest Florida In Our Fight To End Hunger
Food and fund drives create an opportunity to work together toward a common worthy goal. Food drives can inform, encourage and involve all participants in understanding and addressing hunger issues in the community.
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Pantry Details Hours Photos Information: Long Island Cares Inc
Need food? Long Island Cares, Inc. – The Harry Chapin Food Bank is here to help.We distribute food through a network of member agencies located in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York. Member agencies distribute food to individuals who need food assistance.The Long Island Cares’ Mobile Outreach Resource Enterprise provides information, referral assistance and emergency food to people when their neighborhood pantries are not open – in user-friendly locations such as libraries, parks and shopping centers – bringing more food and resources directly to people in need.For more information, please call.
Volunteering Information:
County or Counties Served: Suffolk
What We Aim To Solve
Harry Chapin Food Bank serves children, families, seniors, and veterans of Southwest Florida who are hungry or food-insecure. Children who are food-insecure do not have the energy to focus, engage, learn, and grow. Poor nutrition also has a long-term negative effect on a childs physical and mental health, academic achievement, and future economic productivity. Families that are food-insecure not only struggle to put food on the table, they often struggle to pay for rent, utilities, and childcare, among other bills. Food pantries, once considered a resource for temporary emergency food assistance, are now part of many households regular coping strategies. Seniors who are food-insecure live on a fixed income, struggle with health issues that can drain their resources, lack transportation, and are socially isolated. They often have nutritional deficiencies which exacerbate their medical issues. The stigma associated with asking for help further compounds the problem.
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Seeing A Need And Caring
Bonecutter first volunteered because he saw the need, but he continued because of the sense of caring shared by the food banks volunteer community.
I see the willingness to help others, he said. I think that its just a marvelous thing for our society, that people have concern for others. He also likes the way the food bank operates. Its run very efficiently, he said. The fact that only 4 percent of funds raised go toward administrative operating costs and 96 percent go toward food bank programs is significant, compared to other organizations, he said.
More: Harry Chapin Food Bank reaches 200 million pound milestone
Bonecutter is no stranger to hard work. Born June 7, 1929, hes the youngest of seven children. All but one of his siblings lived until age 90 or more. I never drank or smoke, he said. I never even drank coffee.
Bonecutter grew up on a farm in the northeast corner of Indiana. He remembers the family not having electricity in the early 1930s, working by the light of lanterns, butchering their own meat. First they grew a few acres of tomatoes and picked the fruit themselves. Eventually they farmed 700 acres, growing corn, wheat, soybeans.
He was married and widowed twice. He first marriage lasted for 46-and-a-half years. He was married to his second wife, who died two years ago, for 14 years.
Bonecutter has two daughters and a son, seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Harry Chapin Food Bank Distributes Millions Of Meals In Swfl With The Help Of Volunteers
Before the hurricane many food banks were having difficulty keeping products on their shelves, but there is no shortage of food right now as tons of food is pouring in from around the country.
While there is no shortage of volunteers helping to make sure it all gets distributed to those who need it, the volunteers are what is keeping it going.
The Harry Chapin Food Bank has distributed more than one-and-a-half million pounds of food in the last week alone.
More than 300 volunteers showed up to help stuff an assembly line of boxes filled with food.
Lori Cowden is one of those who has been giving her time to help.
It was important to me as soon as the disaster happened. I just wanted to give back, Cowden said.
Shes one of the hundreds who shows up at the food bank to make sure these products get delivered to those who need them.
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Harry Chapin Food Bank To Receive $20000 Donation From Hahn Loeser & Parks
HomeInsightsHarry Chapin Food Bank to Receive $20,000 donation from Hahn Loeser & Parks
Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP is proud to continue its philanthropic efforts with a combined $20,000 commitment to Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida for 2021-2022. Each of the Firms Florida offices has pledged $5,000 in 2021 and 2022 to the food bank.
We recognize that many people in our communities are continuing to struggle, said Hahn Loeser CEO and Managing Partner Stanley R. Gorom III. In the spirit of our 100 Acts of Kindness initiative during the firms 100th anniversary in 2020 and as part of the Firms deep commitment to the communities we serve, the firm is partnering with food banks in each of our respective locations. We believe this partnership gives us an opportunity to provide direct help to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
We love the concept of 100 Acts of Kindness and are proud that Hahn Loeser has selected the food bank as one of its philanthropic partners, said Harry Chapin Food Bank President and CEO Richard LeBer. We are extremely grateful for the generous support of Hahn Loeser. This partnership is critical in our ability to feed more than a quarter of a million who are hungry each month.
About Harry Chapin Food Bank
Have Fun With Your Food Drive
Theme Day: Consider a theme for your food drive: Mac & Cheese Monday, Tuesday Tuna or a day to bring peanut butter and jelly or complete meals in a box.
Competition: Have a competition between departments and award the winner with a special prize.
Casual Dress Day: Allow staff to wear casual clothing one day in exchange for a donation.
Most Wanted Items: Distribute or post the Most Wanted Items list and ask everyone to donate just those items.
Fill the Bag: Provide employees with an empty paper sack and ask that the bags be returned full of non-perishable food items.
Host a Raffle: Allow each item donated to act as an entry. Offer special prizes like gift cards or movie tickets. For office drives, prizes could include vacation time or free lunch.
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Thank You Hunger Fighter
On behalf of the quarter of a million people who benefit each month from your generosity, thank you for supporting Harry Chapin Food Bank. Because of you, our regions children, seniors and families who are food insecure receive healthy, nutritious food when they most need it. Again, thank you for making a difference!
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Harry Chapin Food Bank Receives A $315000 Donation From Publix Super Markets Charities And 500000 Pounds Of Fresh Produce
Harry Chapin Food Bank today announced it received a donation from Publix Super Markets Charities to purchase and equip a self-select mobile food pantry. Publix will also donate 500,000 pounds of fresh produce during the first year to stock the pantry. Harry Chapin Food Bank serves more than a quarter of a million people each month in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.
Harry Chapin Food Banks Fulfill Mobile Pantry Program makes food more accessible in underserved and high-need areas where families with limited financial resources may not be able to access food through traditional grocery stores. A truckload of food is distributed to those who are hungry through either a drive-thru or a farmers market-style distribution.
We are so incredibly grateful to receive this gift from our amazing partners at Publix and Publix Charities, said Ryan Uhler, marketing and communications director at Harry Chapin Food Bank. This will enable us to expand our Fulfill Mobile Pantry Program, which has been vital as our community recovers from the impacts of Hurricane Ian.
So many of our neighbors struggle with accessing nutritious food, but with this donation to purchase a mobile food pantry and donating fresh produce, we hope to change that, said Publix CEO Todd Jones. We are proud to continue our commitment of providing hope through nourishment for people in our communities.
About Harry Chapin Food Bank
About Publix Super Markets Charities
See Other Posts By Harry Chapin
We are honored to be named a #BofAGrants recipient by Bank of America. This incredible philanthropy will support our largest distribution program, the Partner Agency Program, which provides our more than 150 partner agencies with an average of 70% of their food inventory.We are humbled to partner with Bank of America year after year! This incredible philanthropy has provided us the funds to help feed more than a quarter of a million people each month.
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Luminary Hotel Volunteers Pack 1000 Food Kit Donation Boxes At Harry Chapin Food Bank
Posted: February 25, 2022
FORT MYERS, FL Ten employees from Luminary Hotel & Co. volunteered their time today to pack boxes at the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida. In under three hours, the Luminary team, along with food bank staff packed 1000 boxes of non-perishable foods into kits that will be distributed to the food insecure in Lee County.
Each month, the Harry Chapin Food Bank feeds over 250,000 working families, children and seniors in Southwest Florida. Powered by community volunteers, tasks include sorting donations, packing food kit boxes, and distributing food at mobile pantries.
Luminary Hotel & Co. has a commitment to support our community and the organizations which serve it through the donation of hours of labor each month. Besides the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Luminary Hotel & Co. also volunteers at the Dr. Piper Center for Social Services in Fort Myers.
Harry Chapin Food Bank Had An Emergency Food Giveaway On Monday
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An emergency food giveaway for the community was at the Stars Complex in Fort Myers on Monday.
Harry Chapin Food Bank is part of the Feeding America network, thats getting more food to Southwest Florida.
Feeding America CEO, Claire Babineaux Fontenot said she knows the need will still be there and as long as the need remains, she wont allow the resources to diminish.
James DAngelo was at the giveaway and considers himself one of the lucky ones.
A couple of broken windows. No damage to the roof and destroyed my vehicle, DAngelo said.
During the hurricane, DAngelo and his 88-year-old mother watched their car float away outside their Fort Myers home.
But DAngelo wont let tragedy stop him from taking care of his mom. DAngelo rode his bike to the food bank to get food for his mother.
Volunteers with the Harry Chapin Food Bank put food into cars and arms, one by one at the food giveaway.
Fontenot took part in thanking each and every person and volunteer there.
Feeding America steps in many ways across the united states and in Puerto Rico. Were going to keep doing that. Part of my responsibility is to make sure that the American public knows whats happening. Because I trust that when we know what the issues are, we can solve just about anything. Ill keep doing it, Fontenot said.
Mondays distribution at the Stars Complex is a regular Harry Chapin event. Every Monday people in need can come and get food.
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Volunteers Help Run The Harry Chapin Food Bank
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There are two things that keep the Harry Chapin Food Bank running smoothly: cash and its volunteers.
At least thats what volunteer Fritz Gloege says.
All of the volunteers like Gloege help sort and stack the food that will be provided to those in need in the community.
Drivers like Ken Johnson help to deliver it.
A lady came through late, Johnson said. The other driver brought her over a bouquet of flowers. And while Im taking down her information I looked up and she had tears coming down both sides of her face. She said, You have no idea how much I needed this today.
Everybody can make a difference, Gloege said.
The difference the volunteers make adds up to $2.2 million in donated services to the food bank in 2021.
That allows the Harry Chapin Food Bank to spend 96 cents of every donated dollar on buying food.
Fritz said he recently spoke to a man who used to donate money but now he donates his time,
Individually and together, the volunteers make an impact in the vast warehouse of carefully cataloged and stored generosity.
It really makes me feel good about my job, said one volunteer.
WINK News is urging the community to donate what they can to the Harry Chapin Food Bank on their annual March to a Million Meals.
Why Harry Chapin Food Banks Oldest Volunteer Is Moving On
Maurice Bonecutter wont be back for his usual volunteer shifts this week at the Harry Chapin Food Bank, but he leaves behind a legacy of goodwill and giving.
At 93, the food banks oldest volunteer is moving on.
Hes volunteered at the food bank since 2011, first as a snowbird, then as a permanent resident. Over the years he could be spotted at the food banks Fort Myers Distribution Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays, sorting canned goods, frozen meat, fresh produce, anything that needed doing.
He is a dynamo, said Linda Mitchell one of his fellow volunteers. He is the hardest worker. He can work circles around us.
Now one of his daughters is here to help him pack up and move to greener pastures but not out to pasture. Bonecutter is moving from North Fort Myers to Midland, in western Texas, to be closer to family. Hes looking forward to having his own apartment in an active retirement community.
Bonecutter spent his last volunteer shift Thursday helping sort a variety of bread and other baked goods donated by retailers. His fellow volunteers celebrated his last day with an impromptu pizza party.
He is an inspiration to all of us, said Richard LeBer, food bank president and CEO. His example shows that anyone, at any age, can contribute to the fight against hunger, if the desire is there.
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