Three of Marco Island’s service organizations have taken a leading role in feeding hungry and needy children and their families in Collier County. The Sunrise Rotary club, the Noontime Rotary club and the Kiwanis club have teamed up and on November 9th, 2024, the three clubs have set a goal to pack 200,000 meals in a two hour time period. We are raising funds in the amount of $60,000 to achieve that goal and have tasked each club to raise one-third. Together, each club has committed to raise the funds necessary to help feed thousands of hungry children through Meals of Hope.

By way of background, Meals of Hope is a non profit organization, with the goal to package and distribute fortified meals to those in need. Meals of Hope organizes and runs food packaging programs throughout the area. The first packaging event was in August 2007. Since then, over 36,000,000 meals have been packed and distributed. Two different meals are packed. The first is a fortified Beans and Rice Casserole, made with added soy protein, vegetables, and 21 different vitamins and minerals. The second meal we package, is a fortified Macaroni and Cheese meal. Again, it is fortified with soy protein and 21 vitamins and minerals.

There are thousands of needy children in Collier County. Collier County has the largest concentration of migrant workers in the eastern United States. It is a more rural area that is unique because it lacks the manufacturing resources of larger cities. This means that local food banks cannot receive any excess from food manufacturers to distribute. While there are generous farms and supermarkets, this lack of manufactured product is unique. Meals of Hope gives the meals away free of charge. A distribution network utilizing the Harry Chapin Food Bank and Collier Harvest will insure that meals are given to needy children.

Thank you for your involvement with Meals of Hope and your consideration in this very important matter.

Yours in service,