Hunger

Summer, for many people, brings sun and fun ... for others though, it brings hunger.Nearly 178,000 people in Southwest Florida faced food insecurity in 2022 and nearly 41,000 of those were children, according to the most recent data available from Feeding America. Those numbers are up from the previous year and are expected to keep rising as the Southwest Florida population grows.In an effort to mitigate those statistics, GL Homes, one of Florida’s largest homebuilders, recently kicked off its 2024 “Summer of Service” with a “Pack the Pantry” event in support of the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

For nearly two months this summer children in Lee and Charlotte counties will be provided free breakfast and lunch at more than 100 school-based and community sites.The free meals are being provided by the School District of Lee County, the School District of Charlotte County and Florida’s Summer BreakSpot program.

The newest food benefits program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture will officially launch in the summer of 2024. The deadline for states to sign up was Jan. 1.

For small-scale farmers in underdeveloped countries around the world, who often have no access to capital or most of the technologies and amenities we take for granted, the idea of being more sustainable isn’t something to strive for but a true necessity. Located in North Fort Myers on a 57-acre campus, the nonprofit ECHO has been working to disseminate information to help these farmers since 1981. They grow different varieties of plants, and test different growing techniques, in order to provide proven techniques and even seeds to small-scale farmers. They distribute more than 300 varieties of ECHO seeds. This information is sent out through their massive, global network of farmers and agriculturalists in more than 190 countries. We get an update on the work they do with their CEO, Dr. Abram Bicksler.

For small-scale farmers in underdeveloped countries around the world, who often have no access to capital or most of the technologies and amenities we take for granted, the idea of being more sustainable isn’t something to strive for but a true necessity. Located in North Fort Myers on a 57-acre campus, the nonprofit ECHO has been working to disseminate information to help these farmers since 1981. They grow different varieties of plants, and test different growing techniques, in order to provide proven techniques and even seeds to small-scale farmers. They distribute more than 300 varieties of ECHO seeds. This information is sent out through their massive, global network of farmers and agriculturalists in more than 190 countries. We get an update on the work they do with their CEO, Dr. Abram Bicksler.

Pumpkin pies, turkeys, eggs, bread and vegetables — ingredients for a great holiday meal — were distributed in Collier County recently by dozens of volunteers like Kayla Ballard and Ava Adams, both First Baptist Academy students — “serving others, serves God,” Kayla said.The distribution was part of the 19th year for the Capital Wealth Advisors Turkey Drop Event and was made possible this year from Capital Wealth Advisors partnering with St. Matthew’s House in Naples to collect and pass out thousands of Thanksgiving meals.

The Salvation Army, Fort Myers Area Command was awarded $2.5M from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund Grant to help Fort Myers families find safe shelter, housing and stability.Fund grants $117.55 million to 38 nonprofits across the U.S. making measurable progress on reducing family homelessness.

Nearly 200 people from 25 countires gathered in North Fort Myers recently for an international conference focusing on hunger and related topics.

Some experts say there is a largely hidden group — full-time college students struggling with serious food insecurity — that is an issue which came out of the shadows during the pandemic with at least 30% of college students suffering from being food insecure.

A community-wide survey to gather information on what Southwest Floridians found to be the most pressing need identified affordable housing and homelessness as the top concerns.