Meals for the Holidays

Local food banks pack turkey dinners and more

Community Cooperative of Fort Myers has kicked off its Thanksgiving Full Plates Project 2020. People can donate complete family Thanksgiving baskets, individual Thanksgiving food wish-list items or $50 to sponsor a family basket, according to Jazzy Proctor, development and events coordinator. Donations should be dropped off at the main office by November 20. Baskets are to be distributed to families during the week of Thanksgiving. Drive-thru mobile food pantries will be passing out holiday food items, including frozen turkeys. A similar program is offered for Christmas. “We also have Adopt-a-Family and Adopt-a-Senior to provide holiday gifts to community members,” adds Proctor.

Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida offers drive-thru mobile pantries throughout Southwest Florida. A limited number of gift cards will be offered to families to help purchase items for Thanksgiving meals. “Harry Chapin Food Bank feeds about 28,000 people per week and has seen up to an 80 percent increase in the need for food,” explains Mary Wozniak, marketing and communications manager. Recipients get a box of nonperishable food, enough to feed a family of four for up to five days. Fresh produce, juice and milk are provided when available.

For more information: Community Cooperative, 3429 Dr. Martin Luther

King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers; 239-332-7687; communitycooperative.com.

Harry Chapin Food Bank, 3760

Fowler Street, Fort Myers; 239-334-7007; harrychapinfoodbank.org

Community Cooperative’s mission is to eliminate hunger and homelessness in Lee County.