Last updated 1/19/24
Sometimes you come into rough times, and you feel like everything is just falling apart. Trust me, I get it! I am not ashamed to admit that I had to utilize a food bank/food pantry to keep my family fed at a time. I feel so grateful and thankful that there are such kind people in our community, and I LOVE to give back and volunteer my time/kindness/donate whenever possible!
To make things a little easier for you, I compiled a list of some resources in our community, Harry Chapin Food Bank Locator, Why Hunger, United Way 211 (dial #211, then press call), and more! Lee County Department of Human Services also offers assistance online.
Resources
**Be sure to verify hours/requirements prior to going**
**Listed in alphabetical order**
- Access Florida SNAP / EBT Benefits
- See if you qualify, and apply for SNAP/ EBT / Food Stamp benefits through the state of Florida. Processing times may take longer than usual due to a surplus recently, and lack of staff to handle the caseloads.
- Fresh Access Bucks
If you have SNAP/EBT, you qualify for Fresh Access Bucks - a program that DOUBLES your SNAP benefits! By this I mean, if you spend $20 on fresh produce, you get $20 in free produce! For more info on how it works, check out their FAQs page. For example, if you order $20 worth of food, you only pay $10 using your EBT card!
- All Souls Episcopal Church - 14640 N. Cleveland Ave, North Ft Myers | 239-997-7685
- Wednesdays from 9am-10:30am
- Offering food, clothing, healthcare, ID assistance, bikes, and hot lunches
- Must live in North Fort Myers
- Broadway Community Church - 3309 Broadway, Fort Myers | 239-936-8366
- Tuesdays from 8:30am - 10:30am (produce, dairy, deli and bread)
- 1st, 3rd, 4th Wednesdays from 8:30am - 10:30am (groceries and meat)
- Complete a form upon arrival and present ID
- Cape Coral Caring Center - 1420 SE 47th Street, Cape Coral | 239-945-1927
- Monday - Friday from 9am - 12pm
- To receive food assistance, all you need is a valid Cape Coral driver’s license or Florida ID
- Cape Coral Farmers Market
- Club Square, SE 47th Terr & SE 10th Pl, Cape Coral
- Saturdays: 8am - 1pm
- Find SNAP/EBT booth, swipe your EBT card, get your tokens.
- Exchange SNAP tokens with participating vendors for SNAP-eligible items: fruits and vegetables, bread products, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, seeds & plants which produce food to eat.
- Exchange free green FAB tokens for Florida-grown produce, plants, and seeds that produce food (SNAP and FAB tokens do not expire)
- Green FAB tokens can be used at any FAB market. SNAP Tokens are unique to the market where you received them and can only be spent at that market.
- Catholic Charities - Diocese of Venice (Elizabeth Kay Galeana Center) - 4235 Michigan Ave Link, Fort Myers | 239-334-4007 ext 2103
- Thursdays, from 9am-1pm
- Provides food assistance, diaper assistance, SNAP (EBT/Food Stamp) Outreach, Disaster Response and Recovery, Immigration and Citizenship Services, Rapid Rehousing Services, and Behavioral Health Assistance
- Community Cooperative (Multiple Locations in SWFL) | 239-332-7687
- Multiple mobile food pantry locations every month
- Full intake and registration onsite (Bring your ID!)
- Households are limited to ONE mobile food pantry per month. If you can, bring your own bag(s)!
- Walk up to stations in a line, place foods into your bags, and you're done! Quick, easy, and brings some piece of mind to you!
- Daniels Road Baptist Church - Soul Food
| 5878 Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers | 239-481-2416
- Thursdays, 9am: Doors Open, 9:45am: Devotion and Prayer, 10am - 12pm: Food Distribution
- East United Way House - Children's Advocacy Center - 4040 Palm Beach Blvd, Fort Myers | 239-313-7719
- Call for food pantry hours confirmation (Offer services in English and Spanish)
- Faith Assembly of God - 7101 Bayshore Rd, N Ft Myers, FL 33917
- Thursdays, 9-10am
- Food Pantry Distribution
- Faith Presbyterian - We Care Food Ministry
- 4544 Coronado Parkway, Cape Coral | 239-257-3473
- Friday mornings
- Must be Lee County resident
- FISH of SANCAP Food Pantry - 2430-B Periwinkle Way, Sanibel | 239-472-4775
- Fort Myers Christian Outreach Center - 3500 Fowler St, Fort Myers | 239-481-6262
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am - 12pm
- Provides food and clothing to folks in need
- Gladiolus Food Pantry - 10511 Gladiolus Dr, Fort Myers | 239-437-8122
- Wednesdays, 11am - 4pm
- Open to Lee County residents
- Harry Chapin Food Bank of SWFL - 3760 Fowler St, Fort Myers | 239-334-7007
- Monday - Friday, from 8am – 4:30pm
- Mobile Food Pantries can be located via the app
- Hearts & Homes for Veterans - 2230 Alicia St, Fort Myers | 239-674-1719
- Monday - Thursday, from 8:30am - 2:30pm
- Offers financial (rent, utilities, cars, etc), emergency housing, food pantry, furniture assistance, household appliances, hygiene, employment counseling, transportation, and more to veterans and their families.
- Offer free haircuts, twice a month
- Verify that you qualify for services and apply for assistance online, then mail or bring in to the office with your ID and DD214
- Heritage Charter Academy - 2119 Santa Barbara Blvd, Cape Coral | 239-829-5134
- The Saturday that follows the first Tuesday of every month, from 9am - 1pm
- Food and clothing pantry; open to anyone in need
- Homeless Survival Guide
- 86 page resource from the Lee County Homeless Coalition
- Offers rehab locations, shower locations, shelters, hospitals, employment assistance, and more
- Call to confirm available services, post Hurricane-Ian (last updated August 2022)
- House of Prayer - 2112 Mitchell Court, Fort Myers | 239-288-5314
- 3rd Saturday of the month, between 9am - 11am
- Interfaith Charities of South Lee - 17592 Rockefeller Circle, Fort Myers | 239-267-3510
- Drive thru food pantry: Monday - Saturday, from 9am - 1pm
- Offer SNAP/Medicaid registration assistance, free fax/notary services, volunteer income tax assistance, utility bill assistance and food pantry
- Must have ID and proof of address between Gladiolus Drive and Coconut Road in Estero
- Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties - 9701 Commerce Center Court, Fort Myers | 239-481-4449
- Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9am - 3pm
- No appointment needed; bring ID
- 1st week of the month includes toiletries and food
- Kimmie's Recovery Zone - 507 Center Rd, Fort Myers | 239-579-7337
- Food & Narcan Distribution
- Two days during the month (announced on their Facebook page) 11am - 2pm
- McGregor Baptist Pantry - 3341 Fowler St, Fort Myers | 239-936-1754
- Mondays and Wednesdays 10:30am - 12pm, and 1pm - 3pm
- Provides canned goods, boxed foods, and frozen meats.
- Our Lady of Light St Vincent DePaul - 19680 Cypress View Dr, Fort Myers | 239-690-6685
- Monday - Friday between 8am - 10am
- Offer food assistance, rent/mortgage, clothing, utilities, medications, and more
- Check that you live within their geographical boundaries
- Food is available every two weeks, please call for assistance
- Pine Manor Improvement Association - 5547 10th Ave, Fort Myers | 239-275-5180
- Community Food Pantry: 2nd Thursday of the month, between 10am - 1pm
- Mobile Food Pantry with partner Community Cooperative: 3rd Tuesday of the month, between 10am - 12pm
- Senior Food Bank: 3rd Tuesday of the month, between 9am - 3pm
- Premier Mobile Clinic (screening services and immunizations at no cost): 2nd Thursday of the month, between 9am - 1pm
- Assistance with ACCESS FL applications, job searches, unemployment, and a food pantry (available by appointment only)
- Rabbi Love International Ministry - 318 NE 17th Pl, Cape Coral | 239-677-0949
- Redeemer Haitian Baptist of Fort Myers - 3856 Evans Ave, Unit 3, Fort Myers | 239-931-6001
- Every other Saturday
- To confirm the Saturday and availability, call or email.
- Saint John's Food Pantry - 2044 Brown St, Fort Myers | 239-334-0591
- Mondays, from 10:30am - 11:30am
- Saint John the Apostle MCC - 3049 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers |
- Tuesdays from 10am - 12pm
- Saint Matthew's House Food Pantries - Multiple Locations | 239-774-0500
- Offers food pantries at multiple locations, including these below. Text 239-601-4277 for location updates near you.
- Also offers shelter, recovery programs, and more
- St Matthew's House Food Pantry - 4535 Domestic Ave, Naples
- Hot meals served daily at Justin's Place Feeding Ministry, 2691 Airport Road S, Naples
- Morning Coffee @ 5am. Lunch 12:15 - 12:45pm. Dinner between 5 - 5:30pm
- St. Vincent de Paul Society - 2073 Lafayette Ave, Fort Myers | 239-334-9225
- Fridays from 9am - 11am (food pantry)
- Park in the grass field east of Grand Ave. Each client will get a number to identify their place in the food pantry line.
- Financial assistance on Thursdays between 9am - 11am (Don't provide assistance for deposit, rent, nor mortgage)
- St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church - Our Lady’s Cupboard Food Pantry - 13031 Palm Beach Boulevard, Fort Myers | 239-693-0818
- Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from 9am-12pm
- Salvation Army
- 2400 and 2476 Edison Ave, Fort Myers | 239-789-1169
- Food distribution Fridays at food distribution center (2476 Edison Ave) from 1pm – 3pm (One box of food per family, 1x/month)
- Free hot meal for dinner, daily at Red Shield Diner, 2400 Edison Ave
- Shelter, job training, laundry services, health services, childcare and education, housing options, legal services
- South Fort Myers Food Pantry - 8260 Cypress Lake Dr, Fort Myers | 239-628-3191
- Mondays between 10am - 12:30pm, and 4:30pm - 7pm
- Funds and food for those in need in the South Fort Myers area. You'll need to provide proof of address (recent utility bill or rental agreement).
- Summer Break Spot - (multiple locations during the SUMMER)
- Some kids' only source of food is their school's breakfast and lunch. When school ends, those children lose access to those balanced meals.
- Summer Break Spot is a free food resource for children under 18 years old, while school is not in session.
- During the summer weekdays, they offer balanced breakfast, snacks, and lunches for kids in need. Last summer, parents could drive or walk up to a Meal Site, and they were given a plastic grocery bag of food for each child. This year, it looks like children will be able to eat on site. An example of a meal would include a fruit cup, milk, juice box, microwaveable burritos, PB&J sandwiches, and more.
- SWFL Produce - 32949 Oil Well Road, Punta Gorda | 239-464-6595
- Accepts EBT on all of our items (Florida Fresh Access Bucks)
- Locally grown items offered 1/2 off but ONLY the weekly veggie box, organic box, combo box, Fruit Box, and fugly box plus our weekly sale boxes.
- 1/2 off honey and eggs if equal amounts of local produce are purchased
- Only valid for a $40 discount (i.e.) you spend $100 in produce, you will only receive a $40 discount and your bill will be $60
- If you spend less than $40, then your bill will be 1/2 off
- Home Delivery is not allowed for EBT orders - you must select a Pickup Location
- Tice United Methodist Church - 4545 Tice Street, Fort Myers | 239-694-1256
- Wednesdays, 9am - 10:30am (while supplies last)
- ID requested; Lee County Residents only
- May come once a month; if additional help is needed during the month, you must wait until the line clears before additional pickups are allowed
- Wesley Memorial Food Pantry - 4141 Deleon St, Fort Myers | 239-936-2200
- 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month, between 10am - 12pm
- You must pre-register online or by calling 239-936-2200
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