Fort Myers, Fla. (Sept. 30, 2024) – Harry Chapin Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization and only Feeding America partner serving Southwest Florida, is pleased to announce that Max Costanzo has been named the organization’s major gifts officer for Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties. In this role, Costanzo will support Harry Chapin Food Bank’s efforts to end hunger in Southwest Florida.

“I am excited to welcome Max to the Harry Chapin Food Bank team,” said Richard LeBer, the organization’s president and CEO. “Max is passionate about our mission, and I am confident he will be a valuable asset in our fight to end hunger in Southwest Florida.”

An experienced fundraising professional, Costanzo most recently served as the director of development and fundraising at Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center in Naples. He previously served as director of development at De LaSalle Academy of Fort Myers.

“I am thrilled to be part of this incredible team,” said Costanzo. “I strongly believe no one in our community should ever go to bed hungry and I look forward to supporting Harry Chapin Food Bank’s efforts to ensure children, families and seniors throughout Southwest Florida have reliable access to healthy and fresh food.”

Costanzo is a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, where he received a bachelor's degree in public relations and communications. He is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and previously was a member of the Rotary Club of Fort Myers-Sunrise.

Food insecurity, defined as the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle, is a foremost concern in Southwest Florida. Feeding America estimates more than 177,000 individuals, including 41,000 children, are impacted throughout Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties.

Harry Chapin Food Bank is leading the charge to combat food insecurity in Southwest Florida by feeding more than 250,000 individuals each month through an array of food distribution programs focused on children, families and seniors.

To join Harry Chapin Food Bank in its fight to end hunger in Southwest Florida, visit harrychapinfoodbank.org.

About Harry Chapin Food Bank

Harry Chapin Food Bank, a Feeding America partner, is the largest hunger-relief organization in Southwest Florida. The food bank rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and distributes it to children, families and seniors who are hungry through a series of food distribution programs that feed more than a quarter of a million people each month.

Through our food distribution programs, Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed 35.7 million pounds of food, including 8.6 million pounds of fresh produce. This food is the equivalent of 29 million meals distributed to families who are hungry.

Our partnership with Feeding America enables us to amplify our food and distribution efforts and bring in food from various retail and grocery stores, national food producers and distributors, and growers locally, nationally and even internationally.

Harry Chapin Food Bank is proud to be named a Blueprint Partner by the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival. Harry Chapin Food Bank is also a United Way partner agency. For more information or to make a gift, please call 239.334.7007 or visit harrychapinfoodbank.org.

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