Guest Commentary | We can’t thank you enough!
For more than 40 years, Community Cooperative has been tirelessly working to end hunger and homelessness in Southwest Florida. Thanks to your incredible support, we raised over $1 million at the 22nd Annual Sam Galloway, Jr. & Friends Soup Kitchen Benefit — a record-breaking effort that will directly impact our community’s most vulnerable. We are deeply humbled and grateful for your generosity. This year, we will feed and serve more people than ever before — because of you. It’s truly remarkable what we can accomplish when we come together.
A special thanks to our volunteers.
A staggering 237 volunteers dedicated 840 hours of their time to make this event a success. On event day, they showed up in full force — setting up, serving delicious donated food, caring for our guests, and cleaning up afterward. Their hard work and commitment were essential to making this annual event possible. We couldn’t have done it without them!
We invite you to support the businesses that support us.
Local restaurants, businesses and vendors donate 100% of their goods and services to help create the most delicious southern comfort meal in Southwest Florida. Preparing food for 700-plus guests is no small feat, but these local partners give generously and joyfully to support this annual event. Thank you!
Couldn’t make the event?
Our work isn’t done yet! As the demand for our services continues to grow daily, the fight to end hunger and homelessness remains more critical than ever. There are countless ways to support Community Cooperative year-round, and we’d love for you to join us in making a lasting impact. Together, we can create real change!
How you can help:
• Donate to one of our many programs.
• Host a food drive and collect non-perishable food items to stock our shelves.
• Volunteer in Sam’s Community Café, at a Mobile Food Pantry, or as a Meals on Wheels Driver.
Visit CommunityCooperative.com for more information, to make a donation or to become involved.
Donations are also accepted by mail or by phone. Send donations to P.O. Box 2143 Fort Myers, FL 33902 or call 239-332-7687.
Stefanie Ink Edwards is the CEO of Community Cooperative.
To reach STEFANIE INK EDWARDS - CEO OF COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE, please email