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Cape fire and police departments ‘compete’ in this year’s Cape Coral Caring Center food drive

By Staff | Jul 15, 2021

Cape Coral’s local non-profit agency that provides food and utility assistance to residents in need is once again doing its part to ensure no child goes hungry this summer.

The Cape Coral Caring Center, for the 12th consecutive year, has begun collecting donations for the “Healthy Not Hungry Kids 2021” food drive initiative.

“We started this program in 2009 because we knew when school was out of session for the summer and children were no longer receiving free lunch and breakfast, that they may not have access to healthy food,” said Cape Coral Caring Center Executive Director Julie Ferguson. “Children need healthy food to survive and thrive.”

Healthy Not Hungry Kids Bags are filled with various types of kid-friendly, healthy food, including non-perishable and perishable items. Ferguson said the bag is designed to feed a child for about a week and families can get one bag per child, once a month, while school is out of session in June, July and August.

“We know parents get hungry, too, so we give food for all,” Ferguson added. “We began our program this year the beginning of June to give families extra help because many still may have need due to the pandemic. Having no food in the house can cause chaos in a household; it has always been the goal of the CCCC to give food and give it generously in order to reduce that stress.”

Commonly looked-for donations include macaroni and cheese cups, canned pasta, tuna pouches, chicken noodle soup, fruit or Jell-O cups, cereal bars, Pop Tarts, oatmeal, cereal and shelf-stable milk.

Cape Coral’s first responders are also getting in on the food drive, and are having a friendly competition to see who can collect the most food for the caring center over the summer months.

The Cape Coral Police and Fire departments will serve as collection points for the program. Boxes have been placed at CCPD headquarters, as well as all fire stations throughout the city.

“The Cape Coral Caring Center does great work in making sure local underprivileged children have enough to eat,” said CCPD Master Corporal Philip Mullen. “This food drive does that, and also fills the summer gap for kids who typically get free or reduced school breakfast and lunch during the school year. We are very fortunate to be able to assist the Caring Center to ensure these kids have everything they need to grow strong and healthy.”

CCFD spokesperson Andrea Schuch added, “It is a simple effort that has a big impact on our community. Fire stations are community hubs and the role of firefighters is to help the community. It is neighbors helping neighbors. For the CCFD to participate in the food drive is a natural fit.”

The program runs until the end of August when school is back in session.

“We do not want any children to go hungry this summer and we so appreciate our community’s support in keeping all our children healthy and not hungry,” Ferguson said.

The Cape Coral Caring Center is at 4645 SE 15th Ave. For more information, call 239-945-1927.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj