St. Matthew’s House sets record while helping those in need

St. Matthew’s House is seeing more and more families facing food insecurity. So they’re stepping up and helping as many people are possible.

On Monday, in partnership with Harry Chapin Food Bank, they were able to provide food for more than 800 Southwest Florida families. That’s a record and a large number for a Monday.

Typically, the food banks see between 500 and 600 families on Mondays. But organizers say with price increases on everything, including essentials like food, they’re seeing need skyrocket in Southwest Florida.

Harry Chapin Food Bank, St. Matthew’s House and Midwest Food Bank collaborate each week to distribute food to those who need it most.

The families that showed up on Monday were able to take home fresh fruits and vegetables, in addition to juice, cereal, and toiletries.

These partners say they try to provide items that would otherwise be expensive at the grocery store.

Lorna McLain works with St. Matthew’s House. “We’re trying to really provide our families cost-saving items that will save them a lot of money instead of going to the grocery store. And do you know, the items that were handing out, like I said before, they’re just delicious so you can’t, you can’t beat things they’re receiving at our distributions,” McLain said.

Monday was indeed a day of records. Monday’s distribution at Naples Alliance Church served 302 families. That’s the most ever served at that location.

On Tuesday, there’s another distribution from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Naples at the Fairway Bible Church.