New food distribution center opens
Wake Up America of Southwest Florida, Inc. -the nonprofit Fort Myers agency that supplies food free of charge to nearly 100 local social service organizations- will mark the grand opening of its new distribution center at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 9, at 2135 Central Ave. The community is invited to participate in the event that honors WUA co-founder and long-time supporter Dr. Thomas M. Wiley Jr., who passed away in March.
The larger, more efficient facility helps Wake Up America’s all-volunteer staff unload and display goods more quickly and easily, and gives the agencies it serves more convenient access to the available food stock.
Wake Up America runs entirely by volunteers, recruits and organizes area residents who pick up quality surplus food from stores and manufacturers and delivers it to a central distribution center in downtown Fort Myers. There, the goods are made available to agencies that serve the hungry and disadvantaged- free of charge.
Wake Up America is currently accepting applications from nonprofit organizations that feed those in need. To be eligible, agencies must have a valid Florida tax exemption certificate and fill out a brief application form.
Wake Up America is a 501(c)(3) organization.
There are volunteer opportunities for Wake Up America which needs drivers to pick up food from stores and manufacturers throughout the Fort Myers area and deliver it to the distribution center. Volunteers are also needed to help staff the distribution center.
Food pickups take place between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Food distribution hours are from 9 to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays.