Join the March to a Million Meals to combat hunger in Southwest Florida

Reporter: Valentina LaFranca
Published: Updated:

Food insecurity continues to be a pressing issue in Southwest Florida. The annual March to a Million Meals campaign, organized by WINK News, aims to combat this problem by supporting the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida.

The campaign kicked off with Harry Chapin’s Hunger Walk.

The Copperleaf Charitable Foundation hosted the walk to support the mission of ending hunger in the region. Participants from the Copperleaf community wore orange to raise awareness for the cause.

Richard LeBer, CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank, highlighted the contrast between the area’s affluence and the reality of hunger.

“It may seem remarkable to see all the affluence and success and money of Southwest Florida and to conceive the idea that anyone here could go hungry, it’s appalling to think that that’s possible but here the reality,” Said LeBer.

Statistics show that one in eight adults and one in six children in the area face food insecurity.

Bill Starr, president of the Copperleaf Charitable Foundation, emphasized the importance of helping neighboring communities.

“It’s important that we look outside Copperleaf to our neighboring communities, and see the need and try to do what we can to help them out,” said Starr.

Residents from the Lighthouse Bay community also participated in the walk. Fran Darpino, a resident, brought 26 people to support the cause.

“We’re a sister community to Copperleaf, and we are proud to be going with them,” said Darpino.

The event demonstrated community solidarity.

“It’s just wonderful to see the community come together like this,” said LeBer. “So here we are on a cold morning, and you see all these people come out and give their time on their Saturday morning and bring food and bring money, all to take care of people in our community who are really suffering and need help.”

The Harry Chapin Food Bank received a $60,000 check from the Copperleaf Charitable Foundation. WINK News anchor Lois Thome presented the check.

Copyright ©2025 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.