Join the fight to end hunger and homelessness in Southwest Florida by gathering your friends together to attend the annual Sam Galloway, Junior and Friends Soup Kitchen Benefit. This annual event started in 2003 has been going strong for nearly 2 decades! All monies raised go to support Community Cooperative.

Southwest Florida's Community Cooperative's mission is to eliminate hunger and homelessness in Lee County while inspiring and supporting positive change by providing nutrition, educational and social service-based programs. "Feeding People. Nourishing Lives" is an appropriate motto for this non-profit's impact in the lives of Southwest Florida's families and individuals in need.

Community Cooperative Services Provided Include:

• Sam's Community Cafe' & Community Market
• Growing Healthy Kids: Healthy School Pantry Program & Food Literacy in Pre-school
• Meals on Wheels delivery to Seniors, Disabled or Chronically Ill Adults under 60 years of age
• Mobile Food Pantries: Brings healthy nutritional options to "food deserts".
• Social and Education Resource Centers and United Way Houses work with agencies and individuals that can help with job training, housing, mental health, substance abuse, financial stability, health, child-care, life coaching, goal setting, and follow-up all under one roof.

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As of March 2022, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, about 1 out of 6 people in Lee County are considered to be "Food Insecure". This means that while they get enough to eat, they reduce the nutritional value and the quality of the food they consume to do so. Eating the wrong types of food with little to no nutritional value produces a cascade of health issues. Having a place to go like Community Cooperative is a lifeline for many individuals at risk.

Pictured Above:

Eric and Mary Ellen Pfeifer, Broker-Owner Pfeifer Realty Group & Marketing Director

Doreen and Kevin Ruane, Lee County Commissioner and Castleton Capital Owners