Harry Chapin Food Bank expansion gets $500K donation from Florida Blue

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)— The Florida Blue Foundation donated $500,000 to Harry Chapin Food Bank's Feeding the Future capital campaign to support construction of the nonprofit's new Hunger Action Center.

The 110,175-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility is currently under development at the southwest corner of I-75 and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Fort Myers. Once completed in late 2026, the Hunger Action Center will double the Food Bank's capacity to feed neighbors experiencing hunger.

Each month, Harry Chapin Food Bank serves nearly 300,000 neighbors across Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties through its agency partners, mobile pantries, mobile markets, and distribution programs. In 2025, the nonprofit distributed 38.7 million pounds of food, nearly a third of which was fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Hunger Action Center will feature distinct areas for storing dry, refrigerated, and frozen food, with a sophisticated inventory-tracking system that allows staff to monitor food supplies in real time. Ten truck bays will accommodate inbound and outbound deliveries.

The facility will include a market where neighbors experiencing hunger can shop for fresh produce and groceries. The Food Bank and its agency partners will have access to community meeting space to host seminars and classes on nutrition, health, accessing food, budgeting for groceries, and other educational topics.

To recognize Florida Blue's support, Harry Chapin Food Bank will name two key spaces within the Hunger Action Center in the company's honor. The Florida Blue Volunteer Breakroom will provide a comfortable, climate-controlled space for volunteers who typically serve in three-hour shifts sorting donated food and fresh produce.

According to Harry Chapin Food Bank, in 2025 alone, more than 4,300 volunteers contributed over 49,000 hours of service, representing an estimated $1.5 million in in-kind support. The Florida Blue Neighbor Entry will serve as a welcoming access point for individuals and families seeking food assistance.