Harry Chapin Food Bank working to fight hunger in SWFL

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FILE: WINK News anchor Lois Thome helps volunteers give back to the community at the Harry Chapin Food Bank’s first ever Family Volunteer Day. (Credit: WINK News/FILE)

While you’re eating breakfast, one in eight of your neighbors doesn’t know where their next meal will come from.

Here in Southwest Florida, Harry Chapin is working to change this by bringing millions of pounds in food every year supplying their own programs, and distributing food to more than 150 local pantries.

Every Wednesday a truck is loaded up at the Harry Chapin food house and drives a short two minute trip to the McGregor Baptist Food Pantry on Fowler Avenue where Bob Fain, Director of McGregor Baptist Food Pantry awaits a weekly food supply.

“When you have a food pantry available where people can come get groceries in an environment where they are welcomed you will find there’s a lot of hungry people,” Fain said.

The pantry is only open on Monday and Wednesday, but a calendar Fain keeps shows there is no shortage of people who need their help.

“We are generally averaging between 80 and 100 families each time we are open that puts us upward of 600 families a month,” Fain said.

But Fain says the smiles that walk out the door make it evident that the Harry Chapin food pantry sits in the right place at the right time for SWFL families in need.

And if you are wondering how you can help, food pantries are always looking for canned and nonperishable foods.

They also encourage you to donate cash, as Harry Chapin is able to turn every dollar into $8 worth of food.

For more information about Harry Chapin and to view the schedule of when they are open you can find their website page here.

 

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