Farm Share held its annual free food distribution at Lehigh Community Services last Tuesday, with lines of people wrapping around the building as the event opened.
This year’s event was hosted by State Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto and State Rep. Ray Rodrigues with other elected officials, including Rep. Spencer Roach and Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, attending to show their support.
According to Benacquisto, the food distribution is held each year to coincide with the one week when Lehigh Community Services’ normal food pantry closes for the holidays.
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A member of the Lehigh Acres Fire Control District waves to a youth during the Farm Share annual free food distribution day.
LEHIGH ACRES FIRE CONTROL AND RESCUE DISTRICT
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to get these types of fresh food products to the community. We are extraordinarily thankful to Farm Share for bringing these fresh fruits and vegetables, so we can get them out to the constituents we represent,” Benacquisto said. “They will hold their last food pantry tomorrow and then close for a week, so the timing is perfect to help the community.
Benacquisto also sent a warm thank you to the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District, who had fire fighters and administration staff helping out during the entire three hours of the event.
“The Lehigh Fire District has been here today lending a hand. It’s wonderful to see such fellowship and togetherness,” Benacquisto said..
According to Katie Heck, Lehigh Fire and Rescue District’s spokesperson, the fire department arrived early in the morning to assist Lehigh Community Services Executive Director Carolyn Peplow and her staff on-load boxes of fresh food products off the truck and get them bagged and ready for the public’s arrival.
“We had many of our firefighters and staff helping out this is morning, unless they were out on calls. It’s been a great opportunity to see the residents that we normally serve in emergency situations, in a more one-on-one environment. Nice for us to have conversations with them and spend some time out in the community,” Heck said.
The remainder of the food left from the Farm Share event was dispersed during Lehigh Community Services normally scheduled food pantry held on Wednesday.
Food pantries are just one of the services provided for residents who need assistance. Other programs and services include: emergency financial assistance, food stamp and Medicaid application assistance and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).
“In January we will begin taking appointments to see individuals and families that meet our income requirements and who need assistance with filing income taxes, amended taxes and extensions. All of our volunteers are trained and IRS certified,” Lehigh Community Services Executive Director Carolyn Peplow said.
Lehigh Community Services is at 201 Plaza Drive, Ste. 3, Lehigh Acres. For more information visit www.lehighcommunityservices.com, or call 239-369-5818.
