Harry Chapin Food Bank taking donations for Dorian relief on east coast

Southwest Florida is working to send supplies to the east coast of the state.

Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida loaded emergency kits to send across the state Monday, and the local nonprofit is on standby to do more.

The food bank is looking for resources and supplies from people in Southwest Florida to help out our neighbors on the opposite coast of the state.

The nonprofit said many people in this region know the hardship of facing a hurricane and have reached out to the food bank wanting to know how to help, since many here also prepared for Dorian and might have an abundance of resources to spare.

“Can’t blame people for sort of panicking a little bit and trying to stockpile as much as they can,” said Mary Wozniak, the nonprofit’s marketing and communications manager. “We didn’t know if we were going to get a direct hit or not, so it’s understandable. But we’re grateful of people thinking of us.”

The food bank is asking for nonperishables, unopened items or supplies.

The nonprofit’s location on 3760 Fowler Street in Fort Myers is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, and anyone can visit and drop off supplies there.