Harry Chapin Mobile Pantry stops on Fort Myers Beach every Wednesday
The Harry Chapin Food Bank added Fort Myers Beach to its monthly mobile stop as a way to help those who have been economically impacted by the toxic blue-green algae and red tide outbreak.
Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida Marketing and Communications Manager Mary Wozniak said they started holding the Mobile Pantry on Fort Myers Beach Aug. 24 and will continue to do so every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon until the water crisis abates.
The Mobile Pantry is being held in the parking lot of 1510 Estero Blvd.
Wozniak said they began holding the Mobile Pantry on Fort Myers Beach because the water crisis has really hurt businesses, particularly those in the tourism and hospitality industries.
“People are having a hard time making ends meet,” she said. “We started off by going to Fort Myers Beach to see if we can help there.”
So far, it has been received very enthusiastically by people, who are very appreciative for the help. Wozniak said some people have seen an 80 percent drop in their income.
“One cabby we talked to had worked a 12 hour shift the previous day and came home with a profit of $7. People are really hurting,” she said. “We want them to know there is nothing at all to be embarrassed about.”
On Aug. 24, the first day the Mobile Pantry visited Fort Myers Beach, it helped 103 households with 2,883 pounds of food. On Aug. 29, 189 households received help with 6,192 pounds of food. On Sept. 15, 160 households received 4,579 pounds of food.
“Each mobile pantry can serve up to 250 households per distribution. Clients receive 35 to 40 pounds of a variety of food, which may include fresh produce, meat, and bread, along with a variety of canned and dry goods such as peanut butter, beans, rice, juice, cereal, and fruit,” Wozniak said.
Those who visit the Mobile Pantry have to fill out a form, which states they meet income requirements, as well as the number of people in their household.
“It will help hopefully for several days,” she said of the amount of food sent home with individuals. “It’s not meant to be in place of any other kind of food. It’s a supplement to what they can already provide for themselves.”
For those who cannot make the Mobile Pantry are encouraged to visit one of the 23 Mobile Pantry’s held on a consistent monthly basis. In addition, Wozniak said they also partner with 150 agencies, who can also provide assistance.
“Just because they don’t make this one doesn’t mean they cannot get help,” she said of the Fort Myers Beach Mobile Pantry.
For a calendar listing of mobile pantries, visit harrychapinfoodbank.org/about-us/mobile-pantry-schedule.
For a listing of partner agencies and their locations, visit: harrychapinfoodbank.org/about-us/partner-agencies.