Gulf Coast Community Foundation helps fight hunger, food insecurity with grant to Harry Chapin

FORT MYERS, Fla. - EntSun -- Harry Chapin Food Bank received a $25,000 grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation to support hunger-relief efforts in Charlotte County. The grant funding is being provided through the Foundation's "Area of Greatest Need Fund" to improve access to food for residents of Charlotte County.

Harry Chapin Food Bank, the region's largest hunger-relief organization and only Feeding America partner food bank, provides food to neighbors experiencing hunger through its agency partners, mobile pantries and mobile markets. In 2025, the Food Bank distributed 5.2 million pounds of food in Charlotte County, the equivalent of 23.27 pounds per resident. Thirty-one of the Food Bank's agency partners are based in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and surrounding communities.

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"Charlotte County may be known for its older population, but hunger impacts neighbors of all ages, including retirees, veterans and families with children," said Richard LeBer, president and CEO of Harry Chapin Food Bank. "This generous support from Gulf Coast Community Foundation and its supporters will make a meaningful difference by helping put food on the table for neighbors who are facing food insecurity."

It's estimated that one in eight Southwest Florida residents – and one in six children – are food insecure.

"Food insecurity touches every part of a community's wellbeing, and addressing it starts with meeting people where they are," said Erin Minor, vice president of community leadership at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. "We're proud to support Harry Chapin Food Bank because access to nutritious food is one of the greatest needs facing our region, and their work meets that need with dignity and care."