Christmas Carol Sing Raises Food for Community Cooperative

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Dec. 10, 2024 - PRLog -- Residents and visitors who attended the Christmas Carol Sing at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers Saturday (December 7) contributed plenty of food and funds to help Community Cooperative feed the hungry in Southwest Florida.

About 600 pounds of non-perishable food along with generous financial contributions were collected at the 33rd Annual Christmas Carol Sing, which was sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships and Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C. The contributions will help support families in need during the holidays, according to event organizers.

"It is so gratifying to see our community coming together to help those less fortunate, especially during these economic times.  The need has never been greater," said Community Cooperative CEO Stefanie Ink Edwards.

More than 500 people attended the two performances, which featured Violin Soloist Jeffrey Fabisiak, who once played with the Naples (Italy) Symphony Orchestra, Saxophonist Mike Pcolar, Soloist Beverly Cox, members of the First Presbyterian Church Choir, and a visit from Santa Claus.

In addition to the Christmas Carol Sing, First Presbyterian Church also presents Mrs. Edison's Hymn Sing February 4 as part of the Edison Festival of Light. Both events benefit Community Cooperative, which was founded by First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers along with other churches in 1984.

The Christmas Carol Sing and Mrs. Edison's Hymn Sing are major sources of support for Community Cooperative, which works to end hunger and homelessness in Lee County.  Community Cooperative is an innovative nonprofit organization made up of social service entrepreneurs fighting to end homelessness and hunger in our community. It provides more than 26,000 meals each month through Sam's Community Café, Meals on Wheels programs and school programs, distributes more than 2.1 million pounds of groceries through its Mobile Food Pantries, and serves 14,000 individuals and families with homeless and comprehensive case management services through its Social & Education Resource Centers.  A proud United Way partner, Community Cooperative serves Lee and Collier counties.

For more information about Community Cooperative, call (239) 332-SOUP or visit www.communitycooperative.com.  For more information about First Presbyterian Church, call (239) 334-2261 or visit www.fpcfortmyers.org.