March to a Million Meals: Program from Harry Chapin Food Bank helps hungry families

Reporter: Emma Heaton Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published: Updated:
A box of food left at an educational center by Harry’s Helpings. Credit: WINK News

WINK News is on a mission to raise money for those who need help feeding their families, going on a March to a Million Meals to support the Harry Chapin Food Bank, which is running a special program to help people who can’t make it to the food bank’s pantries.

Biridiana Barragan lost her husband unexpectedly in 2021, leaving her to take care of her 4-year-old daughter Sapphire Vega all by herself, and Harry’s Helpings has been a saving grace.

Sapphire Vega goes to school at an early learning center in Immokalee called Pathways.
The Harry Chapin Food Bank, via Harry’s Helpings, drops off boxes of food for families at the front door during the second week of every month. That’s where Barragan and other parents with children attending Pathways can pick their kids up along with a box of food to take home.

“They’re right there… it’s easy access,” Barragan said. “A blessing, not just for myself, but for families and children and anybody who’s in need. And especially when it comes to food, it’s one less problem for anybody.”

Harry’s Helpings was launched for parents who may not be able to visit traditional food pantries. The program is not just helping families in Immokalee; it’s also offered at other places throughout Southwest Florida that parents and students visit regularly, like schools, daycares and other education centers, so children and their families can be connected with the food they need for energy, focus and learning.

“There’s different like, levels here, especially in Immokalee… it’s known as being one of the lowest classes,” Barragan said. “Not every school’s gonna do this. And when I saw that Pathways does, I’m like, ‘Well, I’m blessed to have my child going to this school.'”

For some perspective on how many families benefit from this: 125 kits from Harry’s Helpings were placed outside Pathways on Wednesday. By Thursday, barely any were left.


WINK News is marching toward feeding a million people by March 1st.

Please join us throughout the month of February to raise the much-needed funds.

Less than $5 feeds a family of four.

Donate here and join us as we March to a Million Meals.

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