Stocked up: Mail carriers help fill the shelves at Lehigh Community Services

By Staff | Jun 3, 2015

MEL TOADVINE Rae Nicely at the food pantry on Plaza Drive, the site of Lehigh Community Services.

Henry Gomez and David Butler from the Lehigh Acres Kiwanis Club’s Thrift Store were winding their way in and out of the back offices of Lehigh Community Services, picking up food in large boxes and putting the food on a truck to take to a storage unit.

Why? Because even with the additional room at the center, there was not enough room for the more than 35,000 pounds of food that Lehigh residents left by their mailboxes to be picked up by letter carriers from the Lehigh Post Office.

“I’m overwhelmed,” said Rae Nicely, executive director of Lehigh Community Services. “But in a good way.”

Nicely and others were directing the two men to a storage area. As much food as possible is kept at the center, where eligible people in need can select their free groceries.

Not long ago, Nicely said the grocery area at the rear of the building had been doubled in size with steps to a second landing where items could be put on shelves.

MEL TOADVINE Loading up donated food to move to a storage unit are David Butler, left, and Henry Gomez. Both are from the Lehigh Thrift Store.

“That just about doubled our space for food here,” she said. “I am so proud of it and for those who built it.”

Nicely called May 9 a banner day for Lehigh. She said the post office food drive was one of the most successful events ever held.

“The community of Lehigh Acres never ceases to amaze me with their generous hearts. Our food pantry was the recipient of more than 35,000 pounds of donated food from our community. Lehigh has a big heart for their neighbors,” she said.

Days before the food drive, postal carriers left a plastic bag at each home’s mailbox, with markings on the bag that food could be put in it and left at the mailbox.

“It was very close to what we got last year,” Nicely said.

MEL TOADVINE The Lehigh Acres Thrift Store lent its delivery truck to take thousands of pounds of donated food to Lehigh Community Services to a storage unit.

The food will last until around September, she guessed.

“It’s just so wonderful to have this food for the people who need it,” she said.

Not only was Lehigh Community Services located on Plaza Drive a drop off point, Faith Lutheran Church was another. Volunteers at both sites worked tirelessly sorting, and boxing all the donated food, Nicely said.

“This incredible food donation will carry our food pantry through the summer when our number of clients increases due to the school summer break,”?she said. “In 2014, we served more than 30,000 clients here in our community.”

Nicely said the Kiwanis Club of Lehigh helped with the heavy lifting, sorting and storing because she and the volunteers couldn’t do it.

“Their willingness and strong backs are invaluable,” she laughed.

Nicely said the real heroes are the letter carriers and what they did in one day, no one else could do or even come close to having done.

“We are indebted to the wonderful folks who daily deliver our mail. They are shining bright and truly making a difference in our community,” she said.

The agency continues its tradition of service to Lehigh now for 38 years and Nicely can’t stop thanking people by passing the word, thanking those who contributed financially and the general appreciation of the goodness of the entire community.

She said people who forgot to leave food by their mailboxes are coming into the office with food.

Nicely said she wanted to remind clients whom her agency helps in the community to be aware of the next Mobile Food Pantry food giveaway to be held June 17 at the New Life Assembly Church, at 5146 Leonard Blvd., from 9 to 11 a.m.

That’s when the Harry Chapin Food Bank comes out and gives food to people who have been authorized to receive food which includes produce and meats.

If you need food, you must call Lehigh Community Services at 369-5818 to become eligible. It is a requirement so that enough food is brought to Lehigh.

: MEL TOADVINE Loading up donated food to move to a storage unit are David Butler, left, and Henry Gomez. Both are from the Lehigh Thrift Store.

: MEL TOADVINE The Lehigh Acres Thrift Store lent its delivery truck to take thousands of pounds of donated food to Lehigh Community Services to a storage unit.