Funding will support the food bank’s mission to end hunger in Southwest Florida
Harry Chapin Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization serving Southwest Florida, is pleased to announce that all donations, up to $25,000, will be matched by Suncoast Credit Union during September, Hunger Action Month. The funds will be used to support the food bank’s mission of ending hunger in Southwest Florida.
“We are incredibly grateful for Suncoast Credit Union’s generous support,” said Richard LeBer, president and CEO of Harry Chapin Food Bank. “Food should not be an impossible choice. Yet far too many of our neighbors must choose between food and other crucial needs such as medicine, electricity or childcare. We share Suncoast Credit Union’s commitment to ensuring no one in our community ever goes hungry.”
Suncoast Credit Union, Florida’s largest credit union, founded the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to promote the education, health and emotional well-being of children in the community. Each time a Suncoast member uses their debit or credit card, the credit union donates two cents to the Foundation to fund local initiatives. Since its inception in 1990, the Foundation has raised and donated over $45 million.
“Suncoast Credit Union is dedicated to supporting the well-being of our communities,” said Bob Hyde, Vice President of Community Impact, Suncoast Credit Union. “By matching donations during Hunger Action Month, we’re not just providing meals — we’re offering hope and the promise of a brighter future for families in Southwest Florida. Together, we can transform lives and help end hunger, one act of kindness at a time.”
Established in 2008 by Feeding America, Hunger Action Month takes place each September and raises awareness about hunger in America and inspiring action. This annual recognition sheds light on the more than 44 million people, including 13 million children, who are food insecure in the United States.
Food insecurity, defined as the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle, is a foremost concern in Southwest Florida. Feeding America estimates more than 177,000 individuals, including 41,000 children, are impacted throughout Lee, Collier, Charlottee, Glades and Hendry counties.
Harry Chapin Food Bank is leading the charge to combat food insecurity in Southwest Florida by feeding more than 250,000 individuals each month through an array of food distribution programs focused on children, families and seniors.
Southwest Floridians are encouraged to do their part to end hunger in their community. From hosting a food drive to volunteering at a packing event, Harry Chapin Food Bank offers community members a variety of ways to support their efforts. Additionally, a contribution of as little as $1 can provide food for two healthy meals.
To join Harry Chapin Food Bank in its fight to end hunger in Southwest Florida, visit harrychapinfoodbank.org.
About Harry Chapin Food Bank
Harry Chapin Food Bank, a Feeding America partner, is the largest hunger-relief organization in Southwest Florida. The food bank rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and distributes it to children, families and seniors who are hungry through a series of food distribution programs that feed more than a quarter of a million people each month.
Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed more than $60 million worth of food in fiscal year 2023. Through our food distribution programs, Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed 35.6 million pounds of food, including 8.6 million pounds of fresh produce. The food is the equivalent of 29 million meals distributed to families who are hungry.
Our partnership with Feeding America enables us to amplify our food and distribution efforts and bring in food from various retail and grocery stores, national food producers and distributors, and growers locally, nationally and even internationally.
Harry Chapin Food Bank is proud to be named a Blueprint Partner by the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival. Harry Chapin Food Bank is also a United Way partner agency. For more information or to make a gift, please call 239.334.7007 or visit harrychapinfoodbank.org.
About Suncoast Credit Union
Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 8th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $18.5 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 78 full-service branches and serves more than 1.2 million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union s service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $45 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoast.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
