Fort Myers Beach woman makes it her mission for no family to go hungry

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. —

Every day, along Fort Myers Beach, in an empty gravel lot on Connecticut Street, sits a semitruck full of meals and a group of volunteers who help run the show.

It's not possible without the one volunteer who puts giving into overdrive.

After Hurricane Ian, Deby Sams started volunteering at the pantry through Beach Baptist Church, when it was considered the "little food pantry that could."

"This is like the last thing that I thought I'd be doing! and enjoying doing!" Sams said. "I'm like, 'OK, I'll volunteer at the church like one day a week.' Yeah, hi, seven days a week. Like, I get texts, and I'm doing stuff all the time."

As Sams' hunger for service has grown, so has the pantry.

Every single day, Sams gathers volunteers and gives away hundreds of free meals on top of working a full-time job.

What's behind her drive to spend countless hours helping others is a heart to serve so that no family goes hungry.

"I get emotional about that. It's super important for people to eat. It's the one thing that we should never have to steal food or wonder where their next meal is coming from," Sams said.

Despite her own full plate.

Despite an accident leaving her neck broken in a brace.

Despite the storms that can leave us collectively short on hope.

Sams will keep showing up. One day at a time.

"We all have to look out for the other person," Sams said.

If you'd like to donate canned goods and food, Sams said you can bring them to the pantry on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

If you'd like to donate to Deby's hospital costs, you can do so through the GoFundMe link here.

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