Local Food Pantry Interfaith Charities Bursting With Food

Community Members can Help Spread the Word: More Food Means a Capacity for More Clients

Today, Interfaith Charities of South Lee (ICSL) announced a recent increase in donated food items, enabling more community members in need to receive a variety of fresh and shelf-stable groceries weekly at no cost.

“The local stores are giving us more food, and we recently picked up even more stores as donors,” said ICSL Executive Director Nancy Martin. “Now we have an overabundance of perishable items each week that need to be given out quickly. We don’t want all of this food to go to waste.”

The food pantry is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday from 9am to 1pm. Registered clients can come every seven days for food assistance. Pantry workers make sure to vary the types of fresh and nonperishable items distributed each week, ensuring a more balanced diet for clients. Those who qualify for service live south of Gladiolus Road to Coconut Road in Estero. To register, clients must provide a photo ID (i.e. a driver’s license or passport) and proof of address (i.e. a current utility bill, rent receipt, or mortgage statement). Proof of income or legal status is not required. FGCU students with a valid student ID may register for assistance even if they are out of the service area.

“Especially during these hard times, we know that there are still many individuals and families in our local community who are not receiving the help they need,” said Kim Varano, Community Outreach Liaison at ICSL. “There are more than enough resources to go around right now, we just need more of the community to know what we offer so they can take advantage of our services.”

About: Interfaith Charities of South Lee is a community service organization serving the residents of South Fort Myers, Estero, and San Carlos Park since 1992. Their mission is to fight hunger and provide hope and help to those in need. Dry goods and perishables are donated to ICSL’s food pantry by local merchants, HOAs, church food drives, and individuals as well as the Harry Chapin and Midwest Food Banks. The items are then sorted, stocked, and distributed weekly to clients. ICSL also provides other services to the local community, including financial assistance and free tax preparation. ICSL is located at 17592 Rockefeller Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33967.  Visit www.icslee.org for more information.