Who We Are:

Wake Up America is a nonprofit organization working to get surplus food from stores, fields, and manufacturers into the hands of those who need it most — always free of charge.

Our Goals:

Founded in 2000, Wake Up America of Southwest Florida, Inc. uniquely combines two important missions: feeding those in need and reducing food waste. As the number of homeless and hungry in America increases, government funds are steadily decreasing. Wake Up America helps fill that gap, providing excess food and other products to the people who need them most. Using its distribution network, Wake Up America recruits and organizes volunteers who pick up food from our donors and deliver it to our distribution center in Fort Myers. At that point the products are distributed to registered organizations including churches, food pantries, senior centers, youth programs and more.

These organizations know and directly serve the needs of the hungry and disadvantaged in our area at no charge. To be eligible to receive products from Wake Up America, agencies must be private, non-profit and have a valid State of Florida sales and Use tax exemption certificate showing they are a 501(c) organization. Every day thousands of pounds of quality, consumable food – including produce, meat and bakery goods are thrown away.

Wake Up America is helping to eliminate waste and decrease pollution while serving those in need. All of the food we distribute goes for human consumption. In addition, participating donors are able to deduct the cost of the product plus ½ of their mark-up. As a result, everyone is a winner!

Our operation is covered under the Good Samaritan Act - both state and federal.

Join us for the 1st annual Hurri"can" Drive Poker Run on Saturday, August 25th.   Click HERE for Details!

We Are the Recipients of Grant for Heinz Corporation

Click HERE for more info on this exciting news!

Are you an Agency that would like to join Wake Up America of Southwest Florida?

FACTS:

• Wake Up America of Southwest Florida, Inc. provides food and other goods collected from over 20 area suppliers and redistribute’s them to over 50 social service organizations. Those that receive products from us range in size from small group homes of under 5 to large food pantries feeding over 300 per day.
• Approximately $1.5 million worth of goods are distributed annually free of charge.
• Our annual operating budget is under $20,000 and with no paid employees we feed over 1/2 million people a year.
• We have no payroll and are debt free, including all the property and vehicles we use to operate.
• We do not receive any government funds, and thanks to our faithful supporters we are debt free!