ESTERO, Fla. (WINK) — Lee County is working to make sure leftover food doesn't go to waste as seasonal residents begin heading north for the summer.
The Donated Not Wasted campaign is now in its final week, encouraging people to donate unopened items rather than throw them away. Donation boxes are set up at locations like the Estero Recreation Center, turning what could be waste into meals for thousands across Lee County.
Boxes are filling up as Southwest Florida's seasonal residents begin packing up.
"What the Donated Not Wasted campaign is all about is that some of that food doesn't get used," said Irma Lancaster, director of marketing and communications at Harry Chapin Food Bank.
Instead of tossing it, Lee County and the Harry Chapin Food Bank are asking people to donate unopened, perishable items.
"We want to make sure that those items don't go to waste," Lancaster said.
Right now, the need is growing.
"We are seeing upwards of about 300,000 people a month, which is up from 250,000 last year," Lancaster said.
Campaigns like WINK Feeds Families are helping connect those donations directly to families who need them most.
"The WINK Feeds Families campaign is an incredible partner, an incredible campaign, to the Harry Chapin Food Bank, not just through the amazing efforts of your entire team, but also this community," Lancaster said. "One doesn't work without the other."
Since launching in 2017, the county says this effort has kept tens of thousands of pounds of food out of landfills.
"The county has diverted 38,000 pounds of food from the landfill and has provided 32,000 meals for the community," said Kenny Howell, communications specialist for Lee County Solid Waste.
With Easter approaching and snowbirds heading out, this could be the biggest week yet.
"We are trying to target those people who are heading home north," Howell said. "Instead of throwing those out and putting them in the waste stream, bring them down."
Donations don't just help people.
"This year, we have added Lee County Domestic Animal Services," Howell said. "So if you have any pet food unopened, you can drop off that as well for our furry friends."
To find a full list of drop-off locations, visit leegov.com.
