Up and Running in Southwest Florida
The community moves forward as parks, services and other facilities reopen
Contactless Curbside Pickup at Libraries
Reading is a great source of knowledge, as well as a welcome escape. To help the community keep their hands on great books, Fort Myers Beach Public Library is offering contactless curbside pick. Those who love to read can also download up to two e-books, which can be checked out for 14 days. Once the lending time expires, the e-books disappear, so there’s no need to worry about returning them on time. To use the curbside service, simply place a hold through the catalog or call the library Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (239-7658162) and ask to have the title ready for you. Then come pick up your books. Onsite bins are available for returns.
Many Lee County Public Libraries have reopened with limitations, such as contact less self-service checkouts and building-capacity limits.
For more information, visit leegov.com/ LIBrAry AND FMB.LIB.fl.us.
Exercising Outdoors
Community Park, with more than four acres of land, is Bonita Springs’ largest park, offering amenities for all ages to enjoy. Many of its facilities have reopened, including the 18-hole disc golf course, tennis courts, outdoor basketball/futsal pavilion, baseball and soccer fields (limited capacity), community pool (for lap swim and fitness only), recreation center (fitness room only), and children’s playground.
BEFOrE HEADING Out, CHECK tHE wEBsItE FOr tHE LAtEst uPDAtEs: BONItAsPrINGsPArKs.OrG.
Stocking Up Pantries
On Friday mornings, Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral converts into a food-distribution site where prepackaged foods, canned goods and fresh produce are provided to those in need—thanks to the Harry Chapin Food Bank. Every week the food bank offers 12 drive-through sites throughout Southwest Florida. While the food bank generally feeds around 28,000 people per week on average, during the past few months, the numbers have increased by more than 50 percent. Thanks to generous volunteers and donors, the food bank has been able to keep up with the demand.
“We will be at Sun Splash and other local sites as long as there is a need in the community and vehicles keep lining up for food,” says Mary Wozniak, marketing and communications manager for Harry Chapin Food Bank. To pick up food, pop your trunk and drive through on Friday mornings from 10 a.m.-noon. For a calendar of distribution sites and to learn how you can volunteer or donate, visit the organization’s website. Pet donations are available on some days at certain locations. Community Cooperative and Midwest Food Bank are also offering assistance to Southwest Floridians.
For more information, visit sunsplashwaterpark .com and harrychapinfoodbank.org.