Hunger Doesn’t Clock Out at 5 | Three Southwest Florida nonprofits collaborate to bring ‘Nourish Together’ to Immokalee
For many hardworking families in Southwest Florida, the challenge isn’t just putting food on the table. It’s finding the time and opportunity to access available resources while balancing work, family responsibilities, and the rising cost of everyday living.
Recognizing these challenges, Midwest Food Bank Florida, Meals of Hope, and The Learning Spot combined resources to host Nourish Together, a special evening community food distribution event designed to make food assistance more accessible to hardworking families in Immokalee.
The event took place on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Learning Spot in Immokalee, bringing together three organizations with established relationships and a shared commitment to addressing food insecurity in Southwest Florida.
Families attending the distribution had access to food boxes, bottled water, and additional food resources as available.
Meeting families where they are
Immokalee is a community built on hard work, resilience, and strong family values. Many residents work in agriculture, hospitality, construction, and other essential industries that contribute to Southwest Florida’s economy.
Yet even households with steady employment can face financial challenges such as housing, transportation, utilities, and grocery expenses continue to rise.
Traditional daytime food distributions can also be difficult to attend for individuals who cannot afford to miss work.
“These are hardworking families who contribute so much to our community, and sometimes they just need a little extra support,” said Dennis Hall Jr., executive director of Midwest Food Bank Florida. “We recognize that not everyone can attend a food distribution during normal business hours. Nourish Together is about removing those barriers, respecting people’s time, and making food more accessible to the families we serve.”
By offering an evening distribution, the organizations created another opportunity for families to access food assistance without having to choose between their work responsibilities and receiving support.
Three Organizations. One Community. A Shared Commitment.
Nourish Together highlights the value of collaboration among nonprofit organizations already working to address hunger throughout Southwest Florida.
Midwest Food Bank Florida has established partnerships with both Meals of Hope and The Learning Spot. This event builds on those existing relationships, bringing together resources, local knowledge, and a shared commitment to serving families in Immokalee.
Each organization contributes to a collective effort focused on strengthening the community and expanding access to food.
“One thing I’ve learned over the years is that no single organization can solve hunger on its own,” Hall said. “We already have great relationships with Meals of Hope and The Learning Spot, and this is an opportunity to build on those partnerships in a meaningful way. When organizations work together, share resources, and focus on the people we’re serving, we can accomplish so much more.”
The collaboration demonstrates how existing nonprofit partnerships can create new opportunities to serve communities without duplicating efforts.
“At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter which organization provides the food or whose name is on the box,” Hall added. “What matters is that families have access to the food they need. That’s what collaboration is all about.”
Building strong partnerships
Nourish Together was a special community distribution that reflects a shared interest in finding practical, collaborative ways to address food insecurity.
While additional events have not been scheduled, the organizations recognize the potential value of similar efforts in other communities if funding, food resources, and operational support become available.
Evening distributions require coordination, transportation, volunteers, and financial resources. Sustaining these efforts depends on the continued involvement of community partners, businesses, and supporters who believe in expanding access to food.
“We would love to see opportunities like this continue, but it takes resources and community support to make that possible,” Hall said. “Our focus right now is making this distribution successful and demonstrating what can happen when organizations come together. If we can build on that success and find the support to do more, that’s certainly something worth exploring.”
For the three participating organizations, the Oct. 28 event is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference while celebrating the strength of community partnerships.
“We want families to feel welcomed, valued, and respected,” Hall added. “There’s no judgment here. We’re simply neighbors helping neighbors. When we come together as a community, we all become stronger.”
About Midwest Food Bank
Midwest Food Bank is a faith-based nonprofit founded in 2003 in Illinois that provides food at no cost to nonprofit agencies. What began as a local effort founded on a family farm has grown to serve communities through multiple U.S. and international locations. Since its origin, Midwest Food Bank has distributed food and relief supplies valued at more than $4.5 billion to help meet basic needs, including disaster response efforts that support communities during emergencies. Powered by thousands of dedicated volunteers, Midwest Food Bank operates with exceptional efficiency, with more than 99 cents of every dollar going directly to hunger relief and disaster relief programs. The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) organization committed to serving all people with compassion and care, without discrimination.
As a faith-based organization, it is the mission of Midwest Food Bank to share the love of Christ by alleviating hunger and malnutrition and providing disaster relief. Our vision is to serve those in need with excellence, providing physical and spiritual nourishment.
About Meals of Hope
Founded in 2007, Meals of Hope is a Naples-based nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing communities together to fight hunger and food insecurity. Through its meal-packing events, mobile food pantries, and programs supporting children and families, Meals of Hope provides nutritious food to individuals and households in need throughout Southwest Florida and beyond. With the support of thousands of volunteers, the organization has packed more than 100 million meals since its founding. Meals of Hope remains committed to its mission of inspiring and empowering communities to come together to end hunger.
For more information, visit mealsofhope.org.
About The Learning Spot
The Learning Spot is an early childhood education and childcare center located in Immokalee, Florida, dedicated to supporting local children and families through educational and developmental opportunities. Offering preschool and after-school programs, The Learning Spot provides a welcoming environment where children can learn, grow, and build a foundation for future success. As a community partner of Midwest Food Bank Florida, The Learning Spot also helps connect local families with valuable resources and opportunities that strengthen the Immokalee community.