Fort Myers Brewing Company is hosting “Gateway CAN do it: Food Drive Rally” to collect food and financial donations for Community Cooperative during drive-thru, take-out beer order hours Thursday, April 30 from 3 to 7 p.m.
With the need to feed local families and seniors more than doubling, Community Cooperative is working throughout Lee County to provide mobile food pantries, Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors and daily hot grab-and-go meals. In support, Fort Myers Brewing is asking the community to fill a box truck by donating shelf-stable food products or checks so that Community Cooperative can cost-effectively buy the food it needs. A donation of $20 helps underwrite food kits distributed for a family of four, which include shelf stable items, produce, frozen meats, bread and milk. For information on food to donate, visit here.
“We have increased our monthly drive-thru food pantries and continue to see three times more people in need of emergency food, which is stretching our resources,” said Stefanie Ink-Edwards, chief development and operations officer for Community Cooperative. “Without the support of the community through financial and food donations, we will be unable to meet the rising need.”
Fort Myers Brewing T-shirts with the pandemic-inspired slogan “The best beer you will ever drink in your driveway” will be sold for $20, with 10% of shirt purchases donated to Community Cooperative.
“We know that our community is hurting, particularly our friends in the restaurant and hospitality industries,” said Rob Whyte, who co-founded Fort Myers Brewing in 2013 with his wife, Jen. “We have been blessed with loyal customers willing to help support us during this unprecedented situation, so we are glad to help give back to our community.”
About Fort Myers Brewing Company
Established in 2013, Fort Myers Brewing Company was the first microbrewery to open in Lee County and continues to lead Southwest Florida’s surging craft beer movement. Founded by Rob and Jen Whyte, Fort Myers Brewing carries a signature line of flagship beers in addition to seasonal brews and small batch specialties. Its ales, pilsners, stouts and IPAs are winners of multiple prestigious awards, including golds at the Best Florida Beer Competition, a silver at the 2018 World Beer Cup and a bronze at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival. Fort Myers Brewing was named “Best Large Brewery in Florida” in 2016. Its beers are poured at 1,041 locations, including 620 bars and restaurants, and are available for purchase in 421 retail outlets, including Publix, Costco and Total Wine. The brewery is located at 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, in Fort Myers. For more information, visit FMbrew.com or call 239-313-6576.
About Community Cooperative
For 35 years, Community Cooperative has worked to effectively eliminate hunger and homelessness in Lee County while simultaneously inspiring and supporting sustained positive change in its clients by delivering innovative food, education and social service programs. With a dedicated team of volunteers, board of directors and staff, Community Cooperative stays committed to its core responsibility to collect and distribute resources through a strong and viable network of community partners. Community Cooperative is an exemplary steward of the resources entrusted to it and serves clients with compassion and integrity. Through collaboration and ongoing education, Community Cooperative supports and strengthens those whose lives have been affected by hunger and homelessness, ensuring that they have access to the resources necessary to transform their lives with dignity. For more resources and information on how to get involved, contact Stefanie Edwards at Stefanie@CommunityCooperative.com or call (239) 332-7687. Monetary donations are always welcomed and can be made directly at http://www.CommunityCooperative.com, or mailed to: Community Cooperative, P.O. Box 2143, Fort Myers, FL 33902.
