Roy’s Restaurant in Bonita Springs will collect non-perishable food for Community Cooperative on Thursday, June 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. Adults donating non-perishable food will receive a complimentary beer or glass of Roy’s wine per person. The restaurant is at 26831 South Bay Drive, Suite 100 in Bonita Springs.
“Every summer, Community Cooperative puts a special emphasis on food donations to support the thousands of families who find themselves struggling to make ends meet when their kids are home and unable to receive free meals from their schools,” said Tami Holliday, community relations and development manager for Community Cooperative. “Research shows that family grocery costs rise more than $300 a month when school is out and school meals disappear, putting a strain on already-tight budgets. That leaves many families making tough trade-offs; two-thirds of all low-income families say they’ve had to choose between food and utilities, two-thirds also had to choose between food and medical care.”
Community market and café supplies needed by Community Cooperative include peanut butter and jelly, instant oatmeal, whole wheat pasta, pasta sauces, cereal and cereal bars, shelf stable chicken and tuna, canned fruit and vegetables, soup, macaroni and cheese, canned milk, dry milk, child-friendly snacks, applesauce, and crackers.
The collection is part of Community Cooperative’s School’s Out, Hunger’s Not campaign during the months of June, July and August to recognize the need for food and volunteers does not end when school does.
Individuals, businesses, organizations, churches and community groups can support the School’s Out, Hunger’s Not campaign by hosting food drives, volunteering and giving financially. Food drives can range from simple collection days to engaging social donation events. Volunteers are needed in various areas, such as packaging and delivering meals for Meals on Wheels, serving lunch in the Sam’s Community Café & Kitchen, stocking pantry shelves, assisting clients at monthly mobile food pantries, and weeding and harvesting in the Able Garden.
For more resources and information on how to get involved, contact Holliday at Tami@CommunityCooperative.com or call (239) 332-7687 ext. 125. Information about hosting a food drive is available at https://communitycooperative.com/give-help/donate-food/. Monetary donations are always welcome and can be made directly on the website at CommunityCooperative.com, or mailed to: Community Cooperative, P.O. Box 2143, Fort Myers, FL 33902.
About Community Cooperative
For 37 years, Community Cooperative has worked to effectively eliminate hunger and homelessness in Lee County while simultaneously inspiring and supporting sustained positive change in its clients by delivering innovative food, education and social service programs. With a dedicated team of volunteers, board of directors and staff, Community Cooperative stays committed to its core responsibility to collect and distribute resources through a strong and viable network of community partners. Community Cooperative is an exemplary steward of the resources entrusted to it and serves clients with compassion and integrity. Through collaboration and ongoing education, Community Cooperative supports and strengthens those whose lives have been affected by hunger and homelessness, ensuring that they have access to the resources necessary to transform their lives with dignity. For more resources and information on how to get involved, contact Tami Holliday at Tami@CommunityCooperative.com or call (239) 332-7687 ext. 125. Monetary donations are always welcomed and can be made directly at www.CommunityCooperative.com, or mailed to: Community Cooperative, P.O. Box 2143, Fort Myers, FL 33902.
