Lee County is holding its eighth annual “Donated not Wasted” food rescue campaign. This program invites seasonal residents and visitors to donate unopened pantry items before heading back home. Since it started, it has successfully redirected over 38,700 pounds of food away from landfills, providing more than 32,200 meals to people in need.
This initiative showcases community solidarity. Organizations involved include Harry Chapin Food Bank, Waste Pro, the Lee County Library System, and recreational centers across the county. Together, they ensure food that could have gone to waste helps those who are struggling.
If you’d like to contribute, you can drop off non-perishable items from Monday, April 7, to Monday, April 21, at select libraries and parks. Additional collection points are available at the Lee County Solid Waste’s Topaz Court Facility in Fort Myers. For more details, check out their website or call 239-533-8000.
Drop-off Locations:
- Estero Recreation Center – 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero, FL 33928
- North Fort Myers Recreation Center – 2000 N. Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers, FL 33903
- Six Mile Cypress Slough Interpretive Center – 7791 Penzance Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33966
- Veterans Park Recreation Center – 55 Homestead Road South, Lehigh Acres, FL 33936
- Wa-Ke-Hatchee Recreation Center – 16760 Bass Road, Fort Myers, FL 33908
- Bonita Springs Public Library – 10560 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs, FL 34135
- Cape Coral Lee County Public Library – 921 S.W. 39th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33914
- Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Public Library – 3095 Blount St., Fort Myers, FL 33916
- East County Regional Library – 881 Gunnery Road N., Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
- Fort Myers Regional Library (South Building) – 1651 Lee St., Fort Myers, FL 33901
- Lakes Regional Library – 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers, FL 33919
- North Fort Myers Public Library – 2001 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers, FL 33903
- Northwest Regional Library – 519 Chiquita Blvd. N., Cape Coral, FL 33993
- Pine Island Public Library – 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia, FL 33922
- Riverdale Public Library – 2421 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers, FL 33905
- Sanibel Public Library – 770 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, FL 33957
The Harry Chapin Food Bank is crucial to this effort. As the largest hunger-relief organization in Southwest Florida, it serves 250,000 individuals every month through a network of over 175 partner agencies. Their work highlights the importance of community support in addressing hunger.
This year, as food insecurity on the rise affects more families, initiatives like “Donated not Wasted” are even more vital. According to recent statistics, over 38 million Americans face hunger, making local efforts to donate food even more important.
In a world filled with waste, the “Donated not Wasted” campaign stands out as a shining example of compassion and community engagement. Together, small actions can drive great change.
Check out this related article: Discover the Salt Lake Salvation Army’s Innovative ‘Choice-Model’ Food Pantry: Empowering Residents in Need
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