Harry Chapin Food Bank of SWFL Named Collier County Business of the Month for March 2019

The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Collier County Commissioners selected Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida as the Business of the Month for March 2019.

Each month, the award is presented to an organization that has enhanced the community through financial, volunteer and active involvement in organizations and programs that creates a better quality of life for all citizens in Collier County.

The Board of Collier County Commissioners and Bethany Sawyer, director of membership at The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, presented Richard LeBer, president & CEO, with a commemorative plaque at the Mar. 12, 2019 County Commission meeting.

Harry Chapin Food Bank of SWFL leads Collier County in the fight to end hunger. Since 2013, Harry Chapin Food Bank has grown food distribution in Collier County to 5.1 million pounds by providing more fresh, nutritious food through partnerships with other nonprofit agencies and the food bank’s mobile pantry program.

In 2018, they distributed 24 million pounds of food and other grocery items, including 6.4 million pounds of fresh produce, throughout Southwest Florida. Valued at $41.5 million, this food equals about 20 million meals for people in need. In Collier County, they distributed 5.1 million pounds of food.

​Last year the food bank expanded their distribution by 90 percent and opened a larger 13,500 sq. ft warehouse to serve as a distribution and meeting center. The Collier County Center gives the capacity to supply more fresh produce and other items to more than 30 partner agencies in Collier County. The Center has expanded volunteer opportunities and offers space to collaborate and partner with other organizations.​