To The Editor,

I want to clarify that non-profits do pay a”shared maintenance fee”for only certain products at Harry Chapin Food Bank. A letter writer last week ask the question as why do they charge for food.

Whenyou purchase food from a retailer today you are charged approximately$1.49 a pound.When you receivefood from Harry Chapin Food Bank, the cost is equivalent to 18 cents a pound.

Last year, we received 19,877 pounds of food fora total of $1,300 in shared maintenance/ delivery fees for a value of $27,000 in food! Not a bad investment!

Also, as a recipient of food from Harry Chapin,non-profits must adhere to several contract requirements. Our facility is inspected, reports are necessary,daily temperature logs are kept, and statistics are reported monthly.

For example:number of individuals served (ages, ethnicity,etc.) and certain guidelines must be followed to assure our clients are eligible and receivegood quality food.

The relationship we share with Harry Chapin Food Bank allows us to provide a wider variety of food for our clients – especially meat and fresh produce.Feel free to contact Harry Chapin Food Bank for more information at 239-334-7007.

Thanks to our wonderful giving community, Lehigh Community Services helped 5,609 people last year.

Charlotte Rae Nicely

Director Lehigh Community Services

Lehigh Acres