Ruth Gehring

Ruth Gehring is becoming known as “the bread lady of Lehigh,” thanks to her two days a week when she hands out bread and all types of pastries, donuts, bagels and hamburger and hotdog rolls.

“It is something I enjoy doing and I have not been doing it long, but the word is getting out. But I want to get the word out to everyone in Lehigh,” Gehring said.

Even though there may be a couple of other places in the community who hand out bread, Gehring wants everyone to know it makes no difference who you are, what you make or don’t make.

“It’s here and it is not stale, and I want everyone to come out and get all they want and need and even pass it on to friends and neighbors who can use it,” she said.

“I know times are tough everywhere and we just want to help.

The Bread Lady: Ruth Gehring stands in front of just some of the bakery products that are available to the people of Lehigh Acres at no cost.

Gehring hands out all the bread products, hundreds of items in big blue racks, every Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

“All the bread products, including the donuts and the other things are not stale. Many of them are at the date they must be sold, but they are fresh to the touch, soft and nice,” she said. “And people can take them home and store them in their refrigerator’s freezers to keep them fresh,.” She said.

The bread giveaway project is at the First Community Congregational Church at 200 Leeland Heights Blvd.

But Gehring advises those who want the free bread to turn on Clayton Street and park on the grass and head to the red door at the back of the church complex.

In the first room to the right, you will find the bread lady and hundreds of breads and pastries and more. She said volunteers bring the bread products from Fort Myers where area supermarkets give them away in order to keep shelves full of the newest breads that come in.

“We are having more and more people to come in as the word spreads, but we still have bread on Thursday afternoons to be given away on Fridays.

Already there are those who come each week to get the free bread and other products and that makes Gehring happy.

“I want everyone to have the benefit of the bakery products we have here,” she said.

She said someone comes from Herron Pond and gets bakery products for 40 families.

“Right now with so much bread, I am encouraging people to take what they want. I may limit the donuts if we don’t have as many so more families can get them,” she laughed. “But other than that, I want people to feel free to take what they need for themselves and for others,” she said.

She has the help of two volunteers from time to time to help hand out the bakery products.

The church has its own food pantry, too, that is opened on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. But we are separate from the food pantry. People can only come to the pantry once every 30 days to pick up food.

“I don’t ask anyone to show any ID nor ask any questions about whether they are employed or not. It makes no difference, everyone can use some help,” she said.

In the past, when bread products are left over on Friday, she has taken the remainder to the flea market off of Homestead Rd. and handed it out to everyone who passes by.

“I don’t want it to go to waste,” she said. “A pig farmer will also come by if there is any left over to use in his farm operation,” she said.

“All people have to remember is the red door at the rear of the church. Visitors should not drive into the main parking lot, but drive in the block on the back of the church. That’s where we are and we are glad to be able to help,” she said.