It\u2019s been a busy past few months for the Cape Coral Caring Center.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For the entity that helps feed those in need throughout the Cape, the work never stops.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From making improvements to its exiting facility, spreading its reach, bolstering a summer program for kids, receiving unexpected funding, and working with the city on a new arm of the non-profit, Executive Director Julie Ferguson and Caring Center staff are always serving the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt definitely has been a busy couple of wonderful months,\u201d Ferguson said. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing lots of clients and, to match that, we\u2019ve had beautiful donations and expansions to our business.\u201d<\/p>\n
The donations Ferguson mentions include a $50,000 from Fred Anderson Toyota in Cape Coral, as well as $60,000 via Christ Community Ministries in Estero, which unfortunately had to close its doors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In recent weeks, the Caring Center has taken to Guiding Grace Family Support Network in Cape Coral, which has allowed the center to reach more residents in the growing north Cape.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Caring Center representatives are at the location on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 5 p.m. by appointment only.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re distributing food to clients there,\u201d Ferguson said. \u201cBasically what we do at the Caring Center. We\u2019re distributing our Healthy not Hungry kids\u2019 bags. It\u2019s more limited, but we still are giving a nice abundance of food to clients that come there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone can go there with an appointment, but we have found that the majority of our clients are coming from the north part of Cape Coral. This is a more central place for our clients, so if they\u2019re coming from the north, they don\u2019t have to come as far.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferguson said the Caring Center works with entities such as Guiding Grace (which acquired Thrive earlier this year) to come together to best serve the Cape Coral community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look to help them, and they look to help us,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen the opportunity was there (to set up at the facility) we didn\u2019t hesitate. It\u2019s been going really well. We\u2019ve been seeing new clients and it\u2019s a great way for people who can\u2019t make it to our main location in the morning and come to Guiding Grace in the afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferguson said the donations from Fred Anderson Toyota and Christ Community Ministries could not have come at a better time with the uptick in community need during the summer months.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSummers are always difficult times for us,\u201d she said. \u201cPeople still don\u2019t realize that when our tourism-based economy slows down, places like the Cape Coral Caring Center speed up. That\u2019s when we have a tremendous amount of clients. It just couldn\u2019t come at a better time. It\u2019s not about us, it\u2019s about our clients.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferguson said the Healthy not Hungry bags distributed for children is a very expensive program, where they provide free lunch and breakfast for children that are out of school.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to make sure those children are fed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Resiliency Hub<\/p>\n
After Hurricane Ian devastated Cape Coral, the Caring Center stepped up and assisted numerous residents in need.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that was wonderful,\u201d Ferguson said. \u201cBut I just remember standing on the sidewalk and thinking to myself, \u2018This is great what we\u2019re doing, but we can do better. We\u2019re going to do better.’\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferguson said with the assistance of the Red Cross, the Caring Center is now better equipped to handle things such as a major hurricane, including a generator that can power the entire building that runs off a gas line.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s our plan now that we won\u2019t have to worry about losing power or have to turn off things such as the air conditioner to conserve because we\u2019re running low on gasoline or whatever,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ferguson said the Caring Center will provide food, water, and ice, with the goal to be a one-stop-shop after a potential storm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople can come in, get cool, charge their device,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ll also have two large cooling tents for any overflow. We want to be everything that our community needs. Unfortunately, we had to learn a big lesson after Ian. I have learned that hope is not a plan. Our board meets regularly and have discussions on how we\u2019re prepared and how we can help our community and be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferguson added, \u201cWhen I talk to people about why we do what we do \u2014 in this world when you make a phone call (you get an automated message). When you call the Cape Coral Caring Center, you get a live voice. You speak to a person who cares. You hear a smile over the phone. Every person that walks in our door, sits down, and has a kind conversation with a volunteer who cares. Connections with people can be difficult in today\u2019s world. We have a personal connection here. We listen, and we care, and we help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Future plans<\/p>\n
Ferguson said the Caring Center has been in talks with the city to have a space in a community center near Festival Park.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The city has received $38 million via the Community Development Block Grant \u2013 Disaster Recovery funding with the necessity to include a non-profit, and the Cape Coral Caring Center has been selected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Cape Coral Caring Center is at 1420 S.E. 47th St. and is open from 9 a.m. until noon Monday through Friday. For more information, call\u00a0 239-945-1927 or visit capecoralcaringcenter.org\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n Guiding Grace Family Support Network is at 907 S.E. 5th\u00a0Ave. For more information visit\u00a0guidinggracenetwork.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n