Leap of Faith program helps to feed hungry
A church-sponsored mission is helping to feed those in need on Fort Myers Beach.
The Leap of Faith After School Program at St. Raphael Episcopal Church is involved in restocking the Choice Market food pantry, located on the campus of First Baptist Church (Beach Baptist) at the corner of Connecticut Street and Estero Boulevard. Choice Market partners with Harry Chapin Food Bank to meet the needs of so many in the island community.
Debbie Dunlap, director of the Leap of Faith program, says the mission for St. Raphael Episcopal Church is to “spread the word” about hunger in Lee County by refilling the food pantry here on the Beach. There are food collection boxes currently at Gavin’s Ace Hardware, Royal Scoop FMB, Century 21 Tripower and St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church to help the cause. A display was set up at BB&T Bank at 6061 Estero Blvd. last week.
“We transport the food from these locations right up to the food bank every Thursday, and we help them restock their shelves,” said Dunlap. “By people’s donations, we are able to help them keep cans on the shelves.”
Dunlap said the after schoolers recently brought roughly 16 bags of food to the display at BB&T.
“It was a great outpouring of donations. It was just wonderful,” said Dunlap. “The kids all love being there and being able to contribute. We are just trying to satisfy a need.”
In 2012, Choice Market officials reported that the food pantry served on average 920 mouths per month at a cost of approximately $600. The market is open every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
According to the Beach Baptist website, individuals eligible for government assistance in the 33931 area code are welcome to come get groceries and other products. Those who qualify for food stamps through the Florida Department of Children and Families SNAP Program can sign up for assistance at the pantry as well. For more information, call 463-6452 (ext. 350).
Dunlap stated that she and her student helpers at the Leap of Faith After School Program collect roughly 20 to 40 pounds per week. They do so all school year long and tally a rough estimate amount of 880 pounds of collected food.
“Last year, we went until the end of July,” she said. “This is our second year in food collection. We will continue on as long as we possibly can and hope to make it a year-round thing.”
Leap of Faith plans to work with other after school programs to help reach a goal of 1,000 pounds of food.
The Leap of Faith After School Program is supported by St. Raphael Episcopal and the Diocese of Southwest Florida. It is grant-driven by the Community Development Grant that is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“Without them, we could not survive,” said Dunlap. “We are very grateful that we have the support of our grant providers.”
The program helps students get a lot of attention both socially and emotionally, says Dunlap. She helps the program participants with their homework and takes them on field trips to increase their education level.
“I am fostering their ideas,” she said.
To help contribute to the food collection and more information on the program, call Dunlap at 677-7017.