Collier CARES app launching to connect people with essential services

While more vaccines are getting into arms, and things are looking up, many of your neighbors are still struggling to make ends meet. But organizations are stepping up to help you and your family.

Naples Children & Education Foundation is launching a free app to connect you with essential services in Collier County. It’s called Collier CARES, and families will be able to search for things like benefits, housing, food and jobs.

After you download it on your phone, you plug in where you live, and you can select options that lead you to lists of resources, including educational services, crisis lines and help to find basic needs such as food.

Especially with the pandemic, many could use an extra hand and a little bit of hope. Food pantry services such as Our Daily Bread in Collier County are busier than ever.

“We’ve had an increase of about 400%, which is so hard to believe,” said Liz Pecora with the pantry. “But people have been out of work.”

The Collier CARES app is making it easier for those in need to find local help.

Using your phone, select a category such as food, shelter or mental health, and it connects you to services such as Our Daily Bread and many other resources right in your community.

Naples Children & Education Foundation, Community Foundation of Collier County and the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation teamed up to make the app.

The app was designed specifically to help the community’s most vulnerable populations. It translates to Spanish as well