Friday, 13 November 2009 17:18 Last Updated on Friday, 13 November 2009 18:07 Written by Nick

A collaborative effort to feed students and their families in need during the summer of 2009

Over the past two years, Lee County has seen a dramatic increase in the number of students enrolled in the free or reduced breakfast and lunch program. For the 2008 school year, nearly 60% of all Lee County students were enrolled in this pivotal program. For the majority of Lee County’s school children, when school is not in session for weekends or over the summer break, they often go without meals and essential nutrition.

As summer approached, Lee County feeding agencies and The United Way knew something needed to be done to help these students and their families. Not only did The Salvation Army increase our food provisions to families through our Food Pantry located in Fort Myers, but we also joined forces with a powerful team of agencies to bring food items to the families in their own neighborhoods.

From this initiative and the partnership of The Lee County School District, The Salvation Army, Harry Chapin Food Bank, CCMI and The United Way, the Family Summer Food Program was born. For nine weeks this summer, area agencies visited five schools selected by the School District on a weekly basis to deliver service to hundreds of families.

School program sites
Hector Cafferata Elementary: Cape Coral
Bonita Springs Elementary: Bonita Springs
Orange River Elementary: East Fort Myers
Tice Elementary: Fort Myers
Lehigh Elementary: Lehigh Acres

On-site services
The Salvation Army served hot meals from our canteen CCMI operated a mobile pantry with non-perishable items Harry Chapin Food Bank operated a refrigerated truck with perishable items

Prepared meals and families served
2,345 families served through The Army’s onsite meal services
9,240 prepared meals given to families in need Volunteer services summary
575: Volunteer hours served
103: Participating Volunteers

Thank you for helping us help others, your benevolent support allows us to provide programs like this to our neighbors in need.

Tropical Storm Fay Update
Distribution and Case Management

Due to the evacuation of nearly 580 people from the Manna Christian and Saldivar mobile home parks, The Salvation Army, in cooperation with the EOC, the American Red Cross, United Way and other local agencies, set up a distribution program at the Estero Community Center located off Corkscrew Blvd.

Distribution services summary from 8/25/08 to 8/30/08
Distribution on site at Estero Community Center

Individuals: Clothing items:
315 Heads of households 5080 pairs of pants
342 other adults 6350 shirts
613 Children 6350 sets of undergarments
1,270 in total 17,780 total

On average, we distributed to each person:
4 pairs of pants/shorts, 5 shirts, 5 sets of undergarments

Distribution services summary from 9/1/08 to 9/10/08
Distribution through voucher program at South Family Store

Individuals: Clothing items:
58 Heads of households 485 pairs of pants
82 Other adults 549 shirts
86 Children 138 sets of undergarments
226 in total 1,172 total

Total distribution services summary

1,498: Individuals served
18,952: Clothing items distributed
48: Volunteers
395: Volunteer hours

Families are working with case managers from local agencies:
o Salvation Army
o Bonita Springs Assistance Office
o Catholic Charities
o Amigos Center

Case management goals:
o address material, emotional and mental health needs
o access mainstream resources
o move back into previous housing or identify alternative housing
o furnish housing through voucher program

Total case management load: 160 families
o Patti Rigby, TSA and Maria Gonzalez, Bonita Springs Assistance Office are overseeing case management effort
o Each of the four agencies carrying a case load of 30 to 60 families

41 families still remain at shelter—lack of suitable, affordable housing

Shelter scheduled to close Friday, October 10th, 2008

$11,713.00 (monetary value as of 9/10 the monetary value of items) given out through this voucher program for Fay victims