Salvation Army armed for Free Food Fridays
On Friday, July 2, The Salvation Army will provide a food pantry at Bay Oaks Recreation Center. From 4 to 6 p.m., the crew will help serve hot lunches to families who are also eligible to receive groceries from the pantry. 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 percent of Lee County students are on the free or reduced meal plan. Over 30 Lee County schools have over 80 percent of their students on the free or reduced meal plan.
The Free Food Fridays and their locations are:
n July 2; Pantry: 4 to 6 p.m.
Bay Oaks Recreation Center
2731 Oak Street
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
n July 9; Pantry: 10 a.m. to noon
Cape Coral United Way House
1105 Cultural Park Blvd.
Cape Coral, FL 33990
n July 16; Pantry: 4 to 6 p.m.
Alva United Methodist Church
21440 Pearl Street
Alva, FL 33920
n July 23; Canteen: 3 to 7 p.m.
Edisto Lake Apartments
n July 23; Pantry: 4 to 6 p.m.
Harlem Heights
10770 Clear Lake Loop
Fort Myers, FL 33908
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.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 91 cents of every dollar spent is used to carry out those services in Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyleecounty.org
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