Lee County’s 9th annual Donated Not Wasted food‑rescue campaign collected nearly 2.2 tons of food between March 23rd and April 6th. Since 2017, more than 42,280 pounds of food has been diverted from potential disposal and sent to the Harry Chapin Food Bank – enough food to provide more than 35,200 meals to residents in need.
That means the event diverted 4,370 pounds of food from potential disposal, preventing it from entering the waste stream and providing about 3,640 meals to local residents facing food insecurity in Lee County.
This annual effort, in partnership with Harry Chapin Food Bank and Waste Pro, encourages seasonal residents to donate unopened nonperishable pantry items to divert as much food as possible from final disposal. As of early 2026, one in six individuals in Lee County is considered food insecure. Every month, the Harry Chapin Food Bank feeds 300,000 people across Southwest Florida.
“The Solid Waste Department is proud to partner with the Harry Chapin Food Bank and Waste Pro. Thanks to the generosity of residents, we are providing much needed support to local families as well as preventing waste,” said Rebecca Rodriguez, director of Lee County Solid Waste.
Partners in the Donated not Wasted campaign included:
- Harry Chapin Food Bank
- Lee County Government – Lee County Solid Waste, Lee County Parks & Recreation, Lee County Library System and Lee County Domestic Animal Services
- Waste Pro
- Additional community partners – Fort Myers Beach Public Library and Sanibel Public Library
Since the campaign’s inception in 2017, more than 42,280 pounds of food has been diverted from potential disposal and sent to the Harry Chapin Food Bank – enough food to provide more than 35,200 meals to residents in need.