In Pelican Bay, Florida, as spring cleaning commences for many, some residents are seizing the opportunity to give back to their community.
Julie Wade, a Pelican Bay resident, strategically planned the timing of their initiative for late March to coincide with pantry restocking efforts. She encourages fellow snowbirds preparing to head north to consider donating pantry items before departing.
Partnering with Barbara and leveraging their affiliation with the Greater Naples Leadership organization, Julie initiated a grassroots effort to address hunger within Pelican Bay. They approached over 80 homeowners associations (HOAs) within the community, rallying support for their cause.
For the past four years, Julie and Barbara have coordinated the collection of non-perishable foods for St. Matthew’s House. This year, they expanded their efforts to include perishable foods, setting a new record by donating nearly 40,000 pounds of dry food and close to 180 pounds of refrigerated items.
Steve Brooder, CEO of St. Matthew’s House, expressed gratitude for Pelican Bay’s contributions, emphasizing the ongoing food insecurity within the community. He highlighted the significant impact of such donations in sustaining their operations for several months.
While this year’s drive has concluded, St. Matthew’s House encourages year-round donations at any of their locations. Currently, their most urgent needs include Spam and peanut butter.
