Community Cooperative Announces Vendors & Menu for Annual Benefit

Local businesses donate entire menu to help raise funds for the soup kitchen at Community Cooperative

FORT MYERS, FL (February 20, 2019) – Anticipation builds as Community Cooperative and its constituents approach the 16^th Annual Sam Galloway Jr. & Friends Soup Kitchen Benefit on Thursday, March 7^th to support the hungry and homeless in Lee County. With over 650 guests and a fully donated southern-style dinner held inside the service garages at Sam Galloway Ford in Fort Myers, it is one of Southwest Florida’s signature fundraising events.

The evening begins at 5:30 PM with a cocktail hour featuring appetizers from The Rao Family of Mastello Ristorante and A Touch of Italy Market, followed by the main event beginning at 7:00 PM. The evening features an open bar and beverages throughout provided by Mast Family Culligan, The Mitchell Family of Suncoast Beverage, The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, Stillwell Enterprises & Restaurant Group, and Narrative Coffee Roasters.

The dinner menu for 2019 features familiar dishes from years past as well as exciting new additions. The menu includes garden salad (Will Prather of The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre), bar-b-que chicken and green beans (Vicki & Andre Jones of Jonesez BBQ), smoked pork and swamp cabbage (Wesley Hansen, Jr. and Deanna Hansen), fried on-site shrimp and cheese grits (John & Paul Browning of The Three Fishermen Restaurant), gourmet meatloaf and mashed potatoes (Jordan Webster of J.G. Webster’s Catering), smoked brisket, apple pie baked beans and mac & cheese (Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery ), collards, corn casserole and hot pepper sauce (Chip & Betsy Barnwell of The Farmer’s Market Restaurant), southern quinoa salad (Tim & Healy Yoa of Artisan Eatery), and okra and tomatoes (The Soup Kitchen at Community Cooperative). With desserts from none other than Norman & Mary Love of Norman Love Confections and homemade cookies from Uncle Charlie’s Cookie Ministry to top off the evening, this year’s Soup Kitchen Benefit is sure to impress.

Tickets are on sale now. Individual tickets are $200, with table sponsorship opportunities starting at $2500. Tickets and tables can be purchased by calling (239) 332-7687 ext. 101, or purchased online: www.CommunityCooperative.com/events.

Guests enjoying the southern style menu options at the 2018 event.