Friday, 25 June 2010 13:30
Last Updated on Friday, 09 July 2010 17:28
Written by vsattler
Salvation Army armed for Free Food Fridays
Come join the Kick-off to fight community-wide hunger
(Fort Myers, FL) On Friday, June 25th at Lehigh Elementary School, The Salvation Army will once again prepare to put its canteen (mobile feeding unit) into action. From 8am to 12 noon, the crew on the canteen will help serve hot lunches to families who are also eligible to receive groceries from the mobile pantry. For three designated Free Food Fridays, The Salvation Army will be out feeding children and families who are hungry or without food. The Free Food Fridays is collaboration between community partners like: The Salvation Army, United Way, Harry Chapin Food Bank, Lee County Schools and Community Cooperative Ministries Incorporated.
“Our community is still experiencing the effects of a struggling economy. Many of our neighbors and friends remain unemployed and under employed. Making ends meet is still an act of labor. During the school year, the majority of the kids are enrolled in the free or reduced lunch programs. Now that school is out, these families have to stretch their grocery dollars even farther,” stated Major Tom Louden, Corps Officer for The Salvation Army of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties.
This summer feeding program will give assistance to families who have children in the Lee County School system. Over 67% of Lee County students are on the free or reduced meal plan. Over thirty Lee County schools have over 80% of their students on the free or reduced meal plan.
The Free Food Fridays and their locations are:
June 25
Lehigh Elementary School
200 Schoolside Dr.
Lehigh Acres, FL 33936
Canteen: 9am-12pm
Pantry: 9am-11am
July 2
Bay Oaks Recreation Center
2731 Oak St.
Ft. Myers Beach, FL 33931
Pantry: 4pm-6pm
July 9
Cape Coral United Way House
1105 Cultural Park Blvd.
Cape Coral, FL 33990
Pantry: 10am-12pm
July 16
Alva United Methodist Church
21440 Pearl St.
Alva, FL 33920
Pantry: 4pm-6pm
July 23
Edisto Lake Apartments
Harlem Heights
10770 Clear Lake Lp.
Fort Myers, FL 33908
Canteen: 4pm-6pm
Pantry: 4pm-6pm
July 30
Pine Island United Way House
5465 N.W. Pine Island Rd.
St. James City, FL 33922
Canteen: 4pm-6pm
Pantry: 4pm-6pm
The Salvation Army canteen team will consist of a Salvation Army staff person and community volunteers. They will serve hot lunches or dinners according to the schedule. Also at the sites will be intake specialist who will assist families by connecting them to available community resources to help with other needs.
To see the WINK News broadcast of this story please visit:
http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2010-06-25/Free-Food-Fridays