Elite DNA Behavioral Health, a comprehensive behavioral and mental health care provider, is hosting a statewide food drive throughout May for Mental Health Awareness Month.

From Wednesday, May 1 to Friday, May 24, Elite DNA is collecting food items at 32 locations and is calling on the community for support through donations of canned goods, dry pasta, rice, cereal and other non-perishable food items.

Elite DNA is striving to help reduce hunger and the impact it has on one’s mental health. Individuals who are constantly worrying about where their next meal will come from, or where their family’s next meal will come from, can develop mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Elite DNA is collaborating with seven Feeding Florida chapters across the state to distribute items to those in need via a network of local hunger organizations including All Faiths Food Bank, Feeding Northeast Florida, Feeding South Florida, Feeding Tampa Bay, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Second Harvest of the Big Bend.

Feeding Florida is the state’s network of food banks working to solve hunger and address its root cause. Feeding Florida member food banks support more than 2,400 local charitable agencies, which provide food directly to individuals and families in need.

“As we all continue to see grocery prices rise, what we don’t see are the families who are suffering behind the scenes to meet basic human needs,” said Elizabeth Dosoretz, LCSW, founder and CEO of Elite DNA Behavioral Health. “Many parents face food insecurity and are forced to make extremely difficult decisions to feed their families. Elite DNA is excited to partner with Feeding Florida to help alleviate this burden on families and help our communities thrive.”

Elite DNA has practices throughout the state of Florida and is collecting non-perishable items at its locations in Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Fort Myers, Estero, Port Charlotte, Naples, Bradenton, Brandon, Brooksville, Delray Beach, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Jupiter, Lakeland, Largo, Maitland, New Port Richey, Ocoee, Orange Park, Ormond Beach, Oviedo, Sarasota, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa Carrollwood, Tampa Westchase, Venice, Wesley Chapel and Weston.

The community is invited to drop off donations at any Elite DNA location between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday from May 1-24.

Eight local Elite DNA locations are:

• Cape Coral Therapy & Psychiatry Clinic, 2721 Del Prado Blvd. S, Suite 200, Cape Coral

• Fort Myers Metro Therapy & Psychiatry Clinic, 4310 Metro Parkway, Suite 205, Fort Myers

• Fort Myers Plantation Therapy & Psychiatry Clinic, 6430 Plantation Park Court, Suite 200, Fort Myers

• Estero Therapy & Psychiatry Clinic, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, 3rd Floor, Estero

• Lehigh Acres Therapy & Psychiatry Clinic, 228 Plaza Drive, Suite D, Lehigh Acres

• Naples Therapy & Psychiatry Clinic, 2230 Venetian Court, Suite 1, Naples

• Port Charlotte 2 Therapy & Psychiatry Clinic, 1777 Tamiami Trail, Suite 201, Port Charlotte

• Port Charlotte Therapy & Psychiatry Clinic, 3191 Harbor Blvd., Suite A&B, Port Charlotte

For more information and to find drop-off locations across the state, visit EliteDNA.com/Find-A-Location/.

About Elite DNA Behavioral Health

Elite DNA Behavioral Health was founded in 2013 by Elizabeth Dosoretz, a licensed clinical social worker and mother of three, whose goal is to provide accessible, affordable mental health care to everyone. Now celebrating 10 years in business, Elite DNA is one of the largest mental health providers in the state, providing in-person and virtual behavioral health services to children, adolescents and adults at more than 30 locations across Florida. Services include psychiatry, psychology, medication management, substance use treatment, TMS therapy for depression, occupational therapy, speech therapy, applied behavior analysis and targeted case management services. Elite DNA accepts a large variety of insurances, including Medicaid/Medicare and has a self-pay sliding scale for established patients. For more information, visit EliteDNA.com.