NAMI Collier County, Inc. is pleased to announce it has received a $5,000 grant from the Collier Community Foundation. These funds will support the organization’s food pantry, which is available to all participants in NAMI’s mental health programming.

NAMI Collier County serves a wide range of economically vulnerable members of the Collier Community, including seniors, veterans, low-income families, unhoused people, and other populations who live with mental illness. Thanks to generous funding from the Collier Community Foundation, NAMI Collier County will continue to provide healthy and nutritious meals to participants across its mental health programming. Participants in every program will be able to access free, balanced meals that include fresh vegetables and fruits, meat and chicken, and eggs – food items which are typically not included in food bank provisions, but which are key for building and maintaining a physically and mentally healthy lifestyle. 

Beth Hatch, CEO of NAMI Collier County explained: “People with mental illness disproportionately struggle to access healthy meals and other basic needs due to economic disenfranchisement, while facing food insecurity has been shown to increase the risk of experiencing mental illness by upwards of 200%, creating a vicious cycle. The generous funding from the Collier Community Foundation will allow us to continue to break this cycle for families and individuals in our county.”

The Collier Community Foundation awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. Selected organizations receive grant dollars from the Foundation’s discretionary funds. These funds were gifted by donors who believe in the Community Foundation’s ability to mobilize resources to address the community’s greatest needs. 

About NAMI Collier County:

NAMI Collier County was founded in 1987 to provide mental health support, advocacy, and education to inspire resilience and strengthen communities in our region. The organization has become the compass on the journey to mental wellness for seniors, children, veterans, unhoused individuals, and low-income individuals and families across the county. For more information, visit www.namicollier.org.

About the Collier Community Foundation:

Collier Community Foundation® is a tax-exempt, public, charitable organization established in 1985 to increase and focus on local private philanthropy. Today, the Collier Community Foundation manages over 850 funds, works with hundreds of nonprofits, and has granted over $362 million to nonprofit organizations, community programs, and scholarships. Informed giving. Powerful results®. Learn more at colliercf.org or call 239-649-5000.