Florida Blue Foundation Gives to Our Daily Bread Food Pantry

The Florida Blue Foundation is firmly rooted in its mission to help people and communities achieve better health and specifically addresses three critical issues through its Healthy Communities grant-making component: Food Security; Improving Health; and Mental Well-Being. Working in partnership with non-profit organizations to address critical issues in local communities, they open new windows of opportunity to better enable our neighbors to reach their full potential. Our Daily Bread Food Pantry (ODBFP) was recently awarded a $15,000 grant to help fight food insecurity in Collier County.

“We are deeply grateful to the Florida Blue Foundation for their investment in our efforts to provide healthy choices for the children and families we serve,” states Executive Director, Evelyn Rossetti-Ryan, Ed.D. “Too often, Collier County is perceived as only an enclave for the wealthy. This is simply not a reality for the food-insecure workforce families we serve, including the teachers, hospitality and retail staff who provide the essential services that propel our local economy. Without the consistency of food assistance options, an estimated 50% of families in Collier County would be forced to choose between feeding their children healthy food or having the resources to remain housed.”

ODBFP distributed over 2 million pounds of nutritious food (an estimated 1,666,667 meals) annually in 2024 and remains steadfast in its vision of reducing food insecurity and improving the health of our neighbors in need. Based on the firm belief that “Food is Medicine,” they remain committed to ensuring that the Family Food Packs distributed through both their fixed-site Pantry and Mobile sites include fresh fruits and vegetables and always meet or exceed the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2020-2025) to provide maximum nutritional benefits.

“Our Daily Bread Food Pantry is a shining example of how strategic partnerships help us address food insecurity in the Southwest region,” said Tina James with the Florida Blue Foundation. “By addressing food security, we aim to improve the health and well-being of the Naples community and beyond.”