Hurricane Ian Focuses Need On Meals of Hope Packaging Event

by | Nov 1, 2022 | Featured, In the News

Courtesy of Coastal Breeze News

The tragic landfall of Hurricane Ian has focused a much larger emphasis on the annual Meals of Hope Packaging Event that will be held at the Marco Island Charter Middle School on November 19 this year. The damage which was caused by Hurricane Ian will be enormous when the final numbers are added up of families displaced from the storm surge, the physical loss of businesses, and the impact on those most vulnerable in Southwest Florida who already live a very fragile existence.

Marco Island has become a key location for one of these important packaging events, which over the several years has grown in the effort to combat hunger here in Collier County. Packaging events occur throughout Collier County. The local Marco Island event has been a key component in that effort over the last dozen years or so. That effort and its continued growth here on Marco Island began under the watchful eye of the indefatigable Sunrise Rotarian Wayne Purvis, who kicked started the event here on the island a dozen years ago, while enlisting the Noontime Rotary Club as well as the local Kiwanis Club.

At that same time, he worked tirelessly to lead the charge to involve numerous other groups and organizations. He would hand over the stewardship of the event to another untiring spirit in Neil Snyder, another Sunrise Rotarian who quickly became known as “Captain Hope” for several years. In 2016, those reins were turned over to local attorney Bill Morris, who enthusiastically continued the wonderful successes of his two previous predecessors.

“The events of the last two weeks and the realization of the impact on those with so little during the upcoming holiday season and beyond makes the success of this endeavor all that more important,” said Committee Chairperson Bill Morris. Last Wednesday evening’s event marked the final fundraiser for this year’s event ,which will help assist in raising the necessary funds to purchase the food materials which will be packaged on November 19.

Volunteers are in need for this two-hour event. To learn more about how you can help, please contact Bill Morris, “Captain Happy Hope” through his offices through the Law Office of William Morris, 247 North Collier Boulevard, Suite 202, Marco Island, Florida 34145 or by calling 239-642-6020. Your assistance at the packaging event or donations would be greatly appreciated.

Learn More about Meals of Hope

Looking to feed the hungry in your community? To learn more about Meals of Hope, read more here. To get you or your organization involved in our next meal packing event, fill out our form here. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Ready to Get Involved?

If you are interested in sponsoring a school’s Afterschool Meal Program or donating to ensure its continuity, please contact us to find out how you can help!