Where to give this Thanksgiving in SWFL for the less fortunate

Liz Freeman, Naples Daily News
·4 min read

Want to do your part so needy families can have a nice Thanksgiving?

Numerous food banks and charities are collecting food donations for packing and distributing to families in Lee and Collier counties ahead of the holiday.

Food insecurity in the region and statewide is an ever-present issue with agencies reporting a spike in people coming for help.

Food insecurity is defined as having difficulty at some time during the year providing meals to family members.

Data released last month by the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed 11.4% of Florida households were food insecure in 2022. Nationally, the rate is 12.8% of households, or 17 million families.

Harry Chapin Food Bank volunteers ready prepared food boxes for distribution.
Harry Chapin Food Bank volunteers ready prepared food boxes for distribution.

Here are places accepting food and monetary donations:

Lee County

Harry Chapin Food Bank – Is encouraging the community to start a virtual fundraiser: https://harrychapinfoodbank.org/fundraise.  Another option is to host food drives collecting shelf-stable, nonperishable food items. The food bank suggests canned goods such as green beans, carrots, celery, corn, instant mashed potatoes, canned chicken and cranberry sauce.

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To volunteer at a food packing event Nov. 16 the Fort Myers warehouse, 3760 Fowler St., contact Stuart Haniff at shaniff@hcfb.org or Lori Harrington at lharrington@hcfb.org

Salvation Army Fort Myers – Always accepts canned goods for those in need. Drop off locations are the Center for Hope, 2400 Edison Ave. or at any of the thrift stores at 4506 Del Prado Blvd. S. in Cape Coral or at 15418 Tamiami Trail in Fort Myers.

Catholic Charities Fort Myers – Food donations or gift cards can be dropped off at 4235 Michigan Link Ave. Attention to Michael Vega. Hours are Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center – Is requesting donations to cover turkeys and gift cards for 300 families. The nonprofit is hosting “Celebration of Giving Thanks” on Saturday, Nov. 18 for 450 families.  To make a donation, visit www.heightsfoundation.org/donate.

Organizations, businesses, communities and churches interested in contributing to the Celebration event can call Melissa Barlow at (239) 482-7706, or email melissa@heightsfoundation.org.   To volunteer for the event, contact Olivia at (239) 482-7706, x4008, or email olivia@heightsfoundation.org .

Gladiolus Food Pantry – 10511 Gladiolus Drive, is accepting food and monetary donations to help families for a Thanksgiving meal. Drop off food at the pantry Monday and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and all day on Wednesdays.

Collier County

Harry Chapin Food Bank – Is encouraging the community to start a virtual fundraiser: https://harrychapinfoodbank.org/fundraise.  Another option is to host food drives collecting shelf-stable, nonperishable food items. It suggests canned goods such as green beans, carrots, celery, corn, instant mashed potatoes, canned chicken and cranberry sauce.

To volunteer at a food packing event in Naples on Nov. 15  at 3940 Prospect Ave., contact Stuart Haniff at shaniff@hcfb.org or Lori Harrington at lharrington@hcfb.org

St. Matthew’s House – Food donations can be dropped at 2601 Airport Rd. S. at the thrift store.  Donors do not need to get out of the car, they can drive up and drop off.

What’s needed is mac n cheese, mashed potato mix, cranberry sauce, cake mix, pancake mix, biscuit mix, canned vegetables.

The drop off hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Monetary donations can be done electronically by going to the website, stmatthewshouse.org and clicking on the “donate” tab.

Catholic Charities – Drop off food donations or gift cards at Judy Sullivan Family Resources, 3174 Tamiami Trail E., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We are a drive-through pantry that offers groceries:  dry goods (pasta, rice, canned fruits, and vegetables), as well as a variety of fresh foods, including produce and eggs.

Our Daily Bread Food Pantry

Accepts donations at 1450 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island. Items needed are cereal, spaghetti, canned fruit 15 oz., canned vegetables 15 oz., canned beans, dry beans, Rice-a-Roni, and pasta-roni.

Meals of Hope – Has two warehouses where unexpired and nonperishable food items cans be dropped off. What is needed are canned soups and stews; beans and peas; whole-grain cereal; rice and pasta; pasta sauces; canned fruits and vegetables; canned fish; canned chicken; olive oil and spices; baby food and baby formula; nut butter.

Drop off locations are 2221 Corporation Blvd., Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3: 30 p.m., and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

From left to right, Ilse Cruz, Marisol Esteban, Collier County Sheriff's Office Cpl. Jim Spartz, and Meals of Hope CEO Stephen Popper pack meals for Meals of Hope at Grace Place in Golden Gate on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.
From left to right, Ilse Cruz, Marisol Esteban, Collier County Sheriff's Office Cpl. Jim Spartz, and Meals of Hope CEO Stephen Popper pack meals for Meals of Hope at Grace Place in Golden Gate on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.

Another drop off location is 4344 Arnold Ave., Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed Friday.

Guadalupe Social Services in Immokalee – Accepting canned foods, turkeys and chickens, please drop off before Nov. 15 at 211 S. Ninth St. in Immokalee, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monetary donations can be made to Guadalupe Social Services, P.O. Box 5034, Immokalee, 34143.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Give back at Thanksgiving. Nonprofits need food, gift cards, cash