IN THE COMMUNITY
Meals of Hope provides holiday meals and more to those in need
It all began as a meal-packing event in August 2007, and since then Meals of Hope has packed more than 50 million meals and has become the biggest food pantry in Southwest Florida. The organization now supports 11 locations throughout the area and continues to expand, meeting an ever-increasing need. “We distribute food to more than 1,000 families every week, everything from frozen meats, to fresh produce, to dry and canned goods, and even personal products like feminine hygiene,” says Stephen Popper, president and CEO of Meals of Hope. The organization works with food banks, conducts in-store pickups and relies on much-appreciated donations, which can take the form of volunteering at a mobile pantry, hosting an event, or donating dollars via the group’s website. The upcoming sixth annual Holidays Without Hunger will be held at two locations: North Naples Middle School on December 15, and the Lee County Civic Center on December 22. Both will be open from 9-11 a.m. During the family-friendly mealpacking event, volunteers fill bags with enough food to provide six to eight meals, each meal costing less than 25 cents. All bagged meals stay in the community. Participating in meal-packing events is one way for friends, family, neighbors and members of churches, clubs, teams, businesses and other groups to give back to the community and have a little fun in the process. FOR MORE INFO Meals of Hope 2221 Corporation Blvd., Naples 239-537-7775 holidayswithouthunger.org mealsofhope.org
Pops Café Serves Smiles and More Creating opportunities for Cape Coral’s Special Populations
Stop by Pops Café during breakfast and you might enjoy fresh bread or cinnamon rolls. During lunch, you could chow down on a gyro or a slice of pizza. During the holiday season, freshly baked pies often appear on the menu. Since opening in 2001 within Cape Coral City Hall, the cafe has served breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Pops manager Michelle Lussier works with both staff members and participants from the City of Cape Coral’s Special Populations program for individuals with intellectual/ developmental disabilities. The Special Populations workers must complete Florida’s ServSafe program to learn basic kitchen safety. They help with food preparation, washing dishes, cleaning, taking orders, cashiering and serving customers. Four of them work the café each day, along with a coach, as they rotate through different positions at city hall to learn a variety of jobs. The Special Populations/Pops Café program is run by the City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department. It offers an “exceptional opportunity for participants to develop, enhance and/or maintain life and job skills to use in everyday life,” says Kerry Runyon, Cape Coral Parks and Recreation director. “This program is a unique part of our department, and we are proud to make such opportunities available for special individuals within our community.” Among Pops Café’s notable items are the homemade white bread and chicken salad. “The nacho supreme on our specials menu is also very popular,” says Lussier, who has worked at the café since 2015. Lussier invites local chefs to volunteer at the café for a day. “We’d love them to come see what we do and showcase their restaurants,” adds Lussier, who, along with her husband, Christopher, owned several restaurants in Fort Myers for about 12 years, including Edison Lunch Box, Second Street Deli and Cimini’s Italian Restaurant. IF YOU GO Pops Café 1015 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral 239-573-3134 capecoral.net/department/parks_ and_recreationhome/pops_cafe.php
Ann Marie O’Phelan is a Southwest Florida resident and a regular contributor to TOTI Media.