FORT MYERS, Fla (June 18, 2024) – Harry Chapin Food Bank, the largest food bank in Southwest Florida, has been named the “Business of the Quarter” by the Greater Naples Chamber and the Collier Board of County Commissioners.

The award recognizes organizations that enhance Collier County through financial, volunteer and active involvement in the community and assist in creating a better quality of life for all citizens. Harry Chapin Food Bank CEO Richard LeBer accepted the award during the June 11 Collier Board of County Commissioners meeting.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized by the Greater Naples Chamber and the Collier Board of County Commissioners,” said LeBer. “As the largest hunger relief organization in Southwest Florida, we are committed to working with community partners to ensure that no one in Collier County goes hungry. This recognition is not only an important opportunity to increase awareness about Harry Chapin Food Bank’s work in Collier County, but also a chance to inform more community members about the work the food bank does to end hunger throughout Southwest Florida.”

 Harry Chapin Food Bank has been serving Collier County community members for more than 30 years. In 2023, the food bank distributed nearly 12 million pounds of food in Collier County.

Despite its wealth, food insecurity remains an issue of significant concern throughout Collier County. More than 44,000 Collier County residents lack consistent access to healthy and nutritious food, including more than 10,000 children. Additionally, approximately 65% of children in Collier County qualify for free or reduced meals.

“Hunger is fundamentally a household financial issue. It’s hard enough to afford to live here if you’re teaching school, working as a nurse or police officer, or waiting tables in a restaurant. If something bad happens, maybe the landlord raises the rent, you get sick or you lose your job, it becomes impossible,” said LeBer. “That’s when people come to us for food.”

Harry Chapin Food Bank provides food to children, families and seniors in need through a variety of innovative programs and partnerships aimed at ensuring everyone has access to healthy and nutritious food. The food bank has partnerships with approximately 35 organizations throughout Collier County, which distribute food to their respective communities. The food bank also operates 12 in-school pantries and 16 mobile distribution locations through the county each month. For a list of mobile pantry distributions, visit harrychapinfoodbank.org/food-locator. 

To learn more about Harry Chapin Food Bank or to volunteer, visit harrychapinfoodbank.org.

 About Harry Chapin Food Bank

Harry Chapin Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, is the largest hunger-relief organization in Southwest Florida. The food bank rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and distributes it to children, families and seniors who are hungry through a series of food distribution programs that feed more than a quarter of a million people each month.

Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed $61.5 million worth of food in fiscal year 2022.Through our food distribution programs, we supplied 34.7 million pounds of food and other grocery items, including 12 million pounds of fresh produce. The food is the equivalent of 29 million meals distributed to those who are hungry.

Our membership with Feeding America enables us to amplify our food and distribution efforts and bring in food from various retail and grocery stores, national food producers and distributors, and growers locally, nationally and even internationally.

Harry Chapin Food Bank is proud to be named a Blueprint Partner by the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival. Harry Chapin Food Bank is also a United Way partner agency. For more information or to make a gift, please call 239.334.7007 or visit harrychapinfoodbank.org.