Join the Movement: County Launches ‘Donated Not Wasted’ Food Rescue Program on April 7th!

Lee County Solid Waste is running its eighth annual “Donated Not Wasted” food rescue campaign. This initiative encourages seasonal residents and visitors to donate unopened pantry items before leaving for the north. Since this program started, over 38,700 pounds of food have been saved from the trash, providing more than 32,200 meals to those in need through the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

This effort is a collaboration involving Lee County Solid Waste, Harry Chapin Food Bank, Waste Pro, and various libraries and parks in the area. The aim is simple: reroute food that might otherwise be wasted to families who could use it.

If you’d like to contribute, you can drop off unopened canned or dry goods from April 7 to April 21 at participating libraries and recreation centers. Various drop-off points include:

Parks and Recreation Centers:

• Estero Recreation Center
• North Fort Myers Recreation Center
• Six Mile Cypress Slough Interpretive Center
• Veterans Park Recreation Center
• Wa-Ke-Hatchee Recreation Center

Library Locations:

• Bonita Springs Public Library
• Cape Coral Lee County Public Library
• Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Public Library
• East County Regional Library
• Fort Myers Regional Library (South Building)
• Lakes Regional Library
• North Fort Myers Public Library
• Northwest Regional Library
• Pine Island Public Library
• Riverdale Public Library
• Sanibel Public Library

The Harry Chapin Food Bank, a key player in this campaign, is the largest hunger-relief organization in Southwest Florida. They serve about 250,000 people every month through a network of 175 partner agencies. Donations help support their mission and directly impact families in need.

Community involvement has proven essential in fighting hunger. A recent survey found that 40% of Americans have thrown away food they felt was still good to eat, highlighting the need for initiatives like this. By donating, you help reduce food waste and support your neighbors at the same time.

For more information on the food rescue campaign, visit Lee County Solid Waste or call 239-533-8000. To learn more about the Harry Chapin Food Bank’s work, check their site at Harry Chapin Food Bank.

Your small actions can lead to big changes.

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