Donated not Wasted: Seasonal residents asked to donate unopened pantry food before heading north

Donations accepted April 4 through April 18

Lee County Solid Waste’s “Donated not Wasted” food rescue campaign encourages seasonal residents and visitors to donate unopened pantry items before returning north.

Estero residents can drop off unopened canned or dry goods from Monday, April 5, to Friday, April 18, at the South County Regional Library, 21100 Three Oaks Parkway or Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd.

Since the program’s inception, 15,193 pounds of food has been diverted from potential disposal and sent to the Harry Chapin Food Bank – enough food to provide 12,660 meals.

The food bank continued to be both a conduit and safety net to the community during the pandemic.

“In 2021, our food distribution programs provided 47.6 million pounds of food, including 12.6 million pounds of fresh produce, to the Southwest Florida community,” said Meg Madzar, food-drive coordinator for Harry Chapin Food Bank.