Neighbors benefit from Lehigh Community Services' support

LEHIGH ACRES, FL. - Lehigh Community Services has been a cornerstone of support in the community for 49 years. The organization provides a range of services to more than 50,000 clients annually, focusing heavily on aiding the senior community.

Charlotte Rae Nicely, the executive director, said, "We feel like we are vital to this community."

The organization operates a food pantry and distributes food nine times a month, along with literacy classes and free income tax preparation from January through April. These efforts aim to boost the local economy by returning more than $1 million annually through tax programs.

"We're really driving the economy out here, even though everything we do is free," said Nicely.

Lehigh Community Services also assists with food stamp and Medicaid applications and offers health improvement education through Lee Health. They conduct a "homeless happy hour" daily, providing food and essentials like blankets and jackets, especially during cold snaps.

"We offer them sandwiches...chocolate milk, fruit cups, snacks, sandwiches," Nicely said.

Meals on Wheels distributes over 1,200 meals a month from their location, serving those who are homebound. The organization also provides limited financial assistance for utilities through resources from United Way.

Nicely expressed pride in her team's work and the sponsors, emphasizing their dedication to helping community members navigate systems like Medicaid and food stamps.

"We love to help and we're thankful that we're able to do that through the different resources that we have," Nicely said.