It’s that time of year again – when grocery store customers in Southwest Florida are invited to make a little donation while they shop.


For ten or 15 dollars shoppers at Publix and Sweetbay Supermarkets can buy a brown bag full of non-perishable food that’s destined for the Harry Chapin Food Bank. The Bank supplies 160 agencies – from church pantries to rescue missions – in the five county area. Associate Director Joyce Jacobs says so far this season shoppers have extremely generous.


“it’s going amazingly well, we’re so pleased we just started about a week ago and I think we’ve already brought in about 40 thousand lobs of food so far. People are being very generous this year.”


Jacobs says the need is great. Rising food, gasoline, electricity and insurance costs have left many lower incomes families struggling. Last year the Harry Chapin food bank provided the resources for about 3 million meals.


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The annual food drive for the harry Chapin Food Bank is underway at Publix and Sweetbay Supermarkets in Southwest Florida. Grocery shopper are invited to purchase a bag of non-perishable food itmes which will then be distributed by the food-bank. Joyce Jacobs is the Associate Director.


“we supply 160 agencies, from church pantries, rescue mission, group homes – and our distribution this year will be about 4-1/2 million pounds of food which pretty much equates 3 million meals. so a lot of food is going into the community – there’s a lot of need."


Jacobs so far this year shoppers have been very generous – about 40 thousand pounds of food have been donated. The Harry Chapin food bank serves the five county area. It’s been in operation for 24 years.