33rd Annual Christmas Carol Sing to Feed the Hungry

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Nov. 5, 2024 - PRLog -- Celebrate the holidays and help feed the hungry by singing at the 33rd Annual Christmas Carol Sing sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships and Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C.

The Christmas Carol Sing will be held for the first time ever on a Saturday, Dec. 7, at First Presbyterian Church, 2438 Second Street in downtown Fort Myers, between Lee Street and Royal Palm Avenue.

"The Carol Sing has traditionally been on the first Tuesday of December, but we thought we would try it on a Saturday this year, in hopes that more families will attend," said the Rev. Dr. Paul deJong, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers.

Admission is free, although organizers request voluntary donations of at least two cans of non-perishable food for The Soup Kitchen, operated by Community Cooperative, and a voluntary cash donation, if you can.

Because of the overwhelming popularity of the event, two sing-alongs are planned at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.  The doors will open 30 minutes prior to show time.

Community Cooperative is an innovative nonprofit organization made up of social service entrepreneurs fighting to end homelessness and hunger in our community. It provides more than 26,000 meals each month through Sam's Community Café, Meals on Wheels programs and school programs, distributes more than 2.1 million pounds of groceries through its Mobile Food Pantries, and serves 14,000 individuals and families with homeless and comprehensive case management services through its Social & Education Resource Centers.  A proud United Way partner, Community Cooperative serves Lee and Collier Counties.

"The need has never been greater with so many people struggling after the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Helene.  The food that is donated will go immediately to those in our community who desperately need it," deJong said.

Cash donations are especially needed because Community Cooperative can buy five times as much food for the same amount of money that residents spend at local grocery stores.

The Christmas Carol Sing is a festival of holiday music and family fun.  This year's 90-minute performance will feature the First Presbyterian Church Choir, soloists and other special guests singing favorite holiday carols with audience sing-a-longs.

In addition to the Christmas Carol Sing, First Presbyterian Church also annually presents  Mrs. Edison's Hymn Sing in February.  Both events benefit Community Cooperative.

For more information, call First Presbyterian Church at (239) 334-2261 or visit www.fpcfortmyers.org.