Stilwell organizes effort to feed Lee hungry with leftover supplies

 "Stilwell organizes effort to feed Lee hungry with leftover supplies"

As the fears that accompany hurricane season begin to dwindle - the official end of hurricane season being Nov. 30 - for some families in Lee County, the worry that comes along with trying to feed themselves and their families is an everyday struggle.

Captiva resident and business owner Sandy Stilwell, a past chairman of the Board of the Salvation Army who currently serves the organization's Executive Committee, says she has an idea to help allay the fears of hungry people in Lee County, especially for the upcoming holiday season.

"We are so fortunate on Captiva. In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, why don't we celebrate the official closing of the 2009 hurricane season by donating our stock of hurricane food to a local food pantry?" Stilwell said.

"This year more than ever, we are in need of food. People who have never asked for assistance are in need now. With unemployment being so high, we are increasingly short of food on a daily basis," Stilwell said.

Rather than letting hurricane supplies expire and go to waste, Stilwell proposes that folks who don't need to hold onto their non-perishable food items donate them to a worthy cause - feeding the hungry in Lee County.

"If you are interested, we will make it easy for you," Stilwell said, noting that all Captivans have to do is gather up the food supplies that would otherwise go to waste and drop them off at the Captiva Island Inn. Stilwell and Captiva Island Inn manager Corban Chestnut will take care of the rest.

Interested Captivans can drop off their non-perishable food donations at the Captiva Island Inn, 11508 Andy Rosse Lane, seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
 Island Reporter, Captiva Current, Sanibel-Captiva Islander

By JANE BRICKLEY, jbrickley@breezenewspapers.com