Southwest Florida is viewed as a subtropical paradise and a sunny playground for wealthy executives and retirees. Beyond the boutiques of Fifth Avenue South and beachfront mansions of Sanibel Island, though, families struggle to keep food on the table. Richard LeBer, president and CEO of Harry Chapin Food Bank, addresses the hunger crisis in Southwest Florida and how it has expanded to include a surprising group of individuals who are experiencing hunger for the first time.
Q. What percentage of Southwest Floridians are food insecure?
LeBer: “It’s estimated that one in eight people in Southwest Florida – and one in six children – need hunger relief. These are our neighbors, friends, co-workers and family members. Everyone is impacted in some way by this crisis. Food insecurity doesn’t necessarily mean an individual or family has no food whatsoever, but it does mean that they don’t have reliable access to enough food so that their families struggle to live an active, healthy life.”