County campaign collects about 2.2 tons of food
Donated not Wasted, Lee County’s ninth annual food rescue campaign, collected nearly 2.2 tons of food during its run from March 23 through April 6.
The effort diverted 4,370 pounds of food from potential disposal, preventing it from entering the waste stream and providing about 3,640 meals to local residents facing food insecurity in the county.
In partnership with the Harry Chapin Food Bank and Waste Pro, it encourages seasonal residents to donate unopened nonperishable pantry items to divert as much food as possible from final disposal. As of early this year, one in six individuals in Lee County is considered food insecure. Every month, the food bank feeds 300,000 people across Southwest Florida.
“The Solid Waste Department is proud to partner with the Harry Chapin Food Bank and Waste Pro,” Lee County Solid Waste Director Rebecca Rodriguez said. “Thanks to the generosity of residents, we are providing much needed support to local families, as well as preventing waste.”
Recreation centers and libraries provided drop-off locations throughout the county for donations.
Additional partners in the campaign included: Lee County Government — Lee County Solid Waste, Lee County Parks & Recreation, Lee County Library System and Lee County Domestic Animal Services; Sanibel Public Library; and Fort Myers Beach Public Library.
Since the program’s inception, more than 42,280 pounds of food has been diverted from potential disposal and sent to the food bank — enough food to provide over 35,200 meals to residents.