FORT MYERS, Fla. - s4story -- Residents and visitors who attended the Christmas Carol Sing at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers Saturday (December 6) contributed plenty of food and funds to help Community Cooperative feed the hungry in Southwest Florida.

About 1,000 pounds of non-perishable food along with generous financial contributions were collected at the 34th Annual Christmas Carol Sing, which was sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships and Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C. The contributions will help support families in need during the holidays, according to event organizers.

"It is so gratifying to see our community coming together to help those less fortunate, especially during these economic times.  The need has never been greater," said Community Cooperative CEO Stefanie Ink Edwards.

More than 400 people attended the two performances, which featured Violin Soloist Jeffrey Fabisiak, who once played with the Naples (Italy) Symphony Orchestra, Saxophonist Mike Pcolar, Soloists Beverly Cox, Debbie Bohrer, and Laurie McCoy accompanied by Robb McCoy as well as members of the Community Choir, and a visit from Santa Claus.

More on S For Story

• Contracting Resources Group Receives 2025 HIRE Vets Platinum Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor
• Stay Connected Cell Service Optional
• Kateryna Dronova Release New Children's Picture Book - Azuzu Saves the Day
• Aristata Press Announces the Release of Feeding the Enemy: Soviet Women in Nazi Labor Camps in Norway by Liv Mjelde
• Crunchbase Ranks Phinge Founder & CEO Robert DeMaio #1 Globally. Meet him in Las Vegas-Week of CES to Learn About Netverse, Patented App-less Platform

In addition to the Christmas Carol Sing, First Presbyterian Church also presents Mrs. Edison's Hymn Sing February 3 as part of the Edison Festival of Light. Both events benefit Community Cooperative, which was founded by First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers along with other churches in 1984.

The Christmas Carol Sing and Mrs. Edison's Hymn Sing are major sources of support for Community Cooperative, which works to end hunger and homelessness in Lee County.

In 2024 alone, Community Cooperative assisted more than 46,000 unduplicated individuals through its programs, providing over 2.1 million pounds of food to neighbors in need. Dedicated volunteers delivered more than 117,000 freshly prepared meals to homebound seniors through the Meals on Wheels of SWFL program, and over 2,000 volunteers contributed 46,000 hours of service to help fulfill the organization's mission.

For more information about Community Cooperative, call (239) 332-SOUP or visit www.communitycooperative.com.  For more information about First Presbyterian Church, call (239) 334-2261 or visit www.fpcfortmyers.org.