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Community Cooperative Honored with Community Partner Award by Florida SouthWestern State College

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Community Cooperative Honored with Community Partner Award by Florida SouthWestern State College

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 27, 2025) – Community Cooperative is proud to announce it has been awarded the Community Partner Award by Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) in recognition of its continued partnership and generous support of student success and well-being.

Through a shared commitment to fighting food insecurity, Community Cooperative has played a vital role in stocking the FSW Care Pantry with fresh, nutritious food and essential items. These donations have ensured that students facing food insecurity have access to the resources they need to stay healthy, focused, and successful in their academic journeys.

“Community Cooperative has made a profound impact on our campus,” said Dr. Jennifer Henry, Assistant Director of Care Services & Adaptive Services at Florida SouthWestern State College. “Their generosity and dedication have brought real relief to many of our students who are balancing school, work, and financial challenges. It’s more than just food—they are helping nourish dreams and futures.”

Since the beginning of the partnership, student visits to the FSW Care Pantry have surged by more than 350%, reflecting both the increased need and the trust students have in this resource. Community Cooperative’s efforts have created a ripple effect of stability and hope across the FSW community.

“We are deeply honored to receive the Community Partner Award from FSW,” said Stefanie Ink Edwards, CEO of Community Cooperative. “This recognition affirms the power of collaboration between local nonprofits and educational institutions in creating lasting change.”

The partnership between Community Cooperative and FSW exemplifies the impact of community-driven solutions. By regularly donating food and pantry staples to the college, Community Cooperative helps empower students to pursue their goals without the burden of hunger. FSW presented the award during a recent campus ceremony, highlighting the nonprofit’s ongoing dedication to serving Southwest Florida.

For more information about Community Cooperative and how you can support its mission, visit www.CommunityCooperative.com. To learn more about the FSW Care Pantry, visit https://www.Fsw.edu/careservices/pantry.

About FSW
Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and most affordable institution of higher education. Annually serving nearly 19,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees and professional certifications, several with 100 percent licensure pass and job placements rates. Study and travel abroad opportunities are available for students through FSW’s Center for International Education. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.

About Community Cooperative

Since 1984, Community Cooperative has worked to effectively eliminate hunger and homelessness in Southwest Florida while simultaneously inspiring and supporting sustained positive change in its clients by delivering innovative food, education, and social service programs. With a dedicated team of volunteers, board of directors and staff, Community Cooperative stays committed to its core responsibility to collect and distribute resources through a strong and viable network of community partners. Community Cooperative is an exemplary steward of the resources entrusted to it and serves clients with compassion and integrity. Through collaboration and ongoing education, Community Cooperative supports and strengthens those whose lives have been affected by hunger and homelessness, ensuring that they have access to the resources necessary to transform their lives with dignity.

Media Contact: Aliyah Santana, Social Media & Marketing Coordinator, Aliyah@CommunityCooperative.com or call (239) 332-7687 ext. 105