Harry Chapin Food Bank has received a $15,000 grant through the Wawa Foundation's "Fly Beyond" initiative to address hunger and food insecurity among youth in Southwest Florida.

Wawa and the Wawa Foundation launched its Fly Beyond program in 2023 to reduce hunger at the community level. Grants are designed to inspire goodness and increase access to fresh, nutritious food and healthy meals for youth through Wawa's Feeding America food bank partners. Harry Chapin Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in Southwest Florida and its only Feeding America partner food bank.

"Across Southwest Florida, more than 65% of public-school students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals based on their family's income level, and the need continues to increase," said Richard LeBer, president and CEO of Harry Chapin Food Bank. "Wawa's Fly Beyond grant focuses specifically on youth because all children and teens deserve access to healthy, nutritious food as they grow and mature."

Harry Chapin Food Bank was selected for a Fly Beyond grant based on fit within the program's grant criteria and the size of Wawa's market in Southwest Florida, as well as the organization's goals, program reach and impact. Harry Chapin Food Bank serves 250,000 neighbors monthly through a Feeding Network of 175+ agency partners.

Fly Beyond's tagline is "Inspiring Goodness with Food."

"Now in its third year, The Fly Beyond Key Issue Grant program continues to be a powerful force in our fight against food insecurity, with a focus on helping youth build healthy habits through consistent access to healthy and nutritious meals and snacks," said Liz Simeone, president of The Wawa Foundation. "This year, we're honored to support 33 food banks, including Harry Chapin Food Bank and their incredible work toward reaching this goal."

About the Harry Chapin Food Bank

Harry Chapin Food Bank, a Feeding America partner food bank, is the largest hunger-relief organization in Southwest Florida and serves 250,000 neighbors monthly through its Feeding Network of 175 agency partners. In 2024, the nonprofit distributed 39.5 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 32 million meals, at food banks and mobile pantries across Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. Harry Chapin Food Bank is an Agency Partner of United Way and a Blueprint Partner of the Naples Children & Education Foundation, rated as a Four-Star Charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum-rated by Candid's GuideStar. For more information, please visit HarryChapinFoodBank.org or call 239-334-7007.