WINK News continues to march past a million meals in Southwest Florida because roughly 150,000 local families struggle with food insecurity. At a Harry Chapin Food Bank distribution site in Lehigh Acres, it was the moments of kindness between volunteers and recipients that made the difference. A line of cars stretched for two blocks, and not for a concert or a fair. It was an average Tuesday food distribution at Saint Raphael Catholic Church, located at 2514 Lee Blvd. “It’s gotten longer in the last year; it wasn’t like this before,” said Leigh Martuch. “COVID, definitely, that did a big part, but then everything going high with inflation and everything… do what we can, where we can.” Martuch, like everyone else in line, needs a little help making ends meet. For the last year, she’s come to Saint Raphael for food for herself and her boyfriend. “We both work full-time, we both still struggle, it’s just… struggle is real out here,” Martuch said. And like everyone else in line, they’re grateful for the donations. Harry Chapin Food bank volunteers pack food boxes at Saint Raphael Church in Lehigh Acres on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Credit: WINK News “I know a lot of people coming, a lot of people still without work, no money for food… it’s good for them,” said fellow recipient Olga Hernandez. Helping people fight hunger is the Harry Chapin Food Bank’s mission. It feeds around 650 families at the church each Tuesday because food is love. “They distribute the food,” said Alex Exline, volunteer coordinator for the Harry Chapin Food Bank. “Without them, we wouldn’t be here today handing out the food.” Volunteers were hard at work moving kits (with enough inside them to feed a family of four for four days) and filling them with other healthy, fresh things to eat before putting them in the cars. One thing is for certain: Families are happy when they drive away. “Their smiles, and when they say ‘thank you,’ it means the world,” Exline said. “I would definitely donate; people are having a hard time,” Martuch said. “Donate, show up, do your part.” You can help put smiles on people’s faces by donating to WINK News’ March to a Million Meals.