Meals of Hope Event Needs Volunteers

Once again, local restaurateurs Curt and Jacquie Koon of CJ’s on the Bay opened their popular venue to host the a fundraising event for Meals of Hope. Proceeds will go towards the purchase of food for the annual food packaging event.

“We are so pleased that the community continues to shine in supporting this spectacular event and it demonstrates our commitment to help those in need,” said event Chairperson Bill “Captain Happy Hope” Morris, as he mingled with guests at CJ’s last Wednesday evening.

Meals of Hope packaging events have occurred throughout Collier County over the last dozen years or so. The events bring together community volunteers who package meals to be distributed to those in need.  Marco Island hosts one of the many successful Meals of Hope packaging events, which aims to combat hunger in Collier County. 

Meals of Hope packaging events on Marco Island began under the watchful eye of the indefatigable Sunrise Rotarian Wayne Purvis.  Purvis, who passed away in 2020, kickstarted the event on the island twelve years ago, enlisting volunteers from the Noontime Rotary Club and the Kiwanis Club.

At that same time, Purvis worked tirelessly to lead the charge to involve numerous other groups and organizations. He handed over the stewardship of the event to Sunrise Rotarian Neil Snyder, another untiring spirit, who quickly became known as “Captain Hope.” In 2016, the reins were turned over to local attorney Bill Morris, who enthusiastically continued the successes of his two predecessors.

On November 19, 2022, the packaging event will be held in the gymnasium of the Marco Island Charter Middle School. During the last couple of years, due to COVID, the event was held outside. This year it returns to the more hospitable and “cool” gymnasium, where approximately 500 volunteers will gather to pack 250,000 meals. This effort will help to meet the requirements of those in need within the Collier County community.

Volunteers are needed for the 2-hour packaging event. To learn more about how you can help or to make a donation, visit the event’s website at www.mohmi.org. or contact Bill “Captain Happy Hope” Morris at 239-642-6020, or through the Law Offices of William Morris, 247 North Collier Boulevard, Suite 202, Marco Island, Florida 34145.