Scott Bus, a representative of Midwest Food Bank, told the City of Fort Myers Economic Development Advisory Board on Jan. 10 that the nonprofit has expanded sharply and needs more warehouse space to meet local demand.

"Every dollar donated, we turn into $34," Bus said during the presentation, adding that Midwest Food Bank distributed $60,000,000 worth of food in Southwest Florida in 2024 and served an increased volume compared with $44,000,000 in 2023. "We're bursting at the seams," he said of the organization's current 10,000‑square‑foot warehouse in Billy Creek Plaza.

The presentation outlined how Midwest Food Bank collects donated product from manufacturers and distributors — naming Kellogg's, Nestlé, Amazon, Coca‑Cola and others — and distributes it at no cost to nonprofit partner agencies such as Community Cooperative, St. Matthew's House and the Salvation Army. Bus described programs that include pantry pickups for partner agencies, disaster response and "Hope Packs" backpacks for children to provide weekend food.

Nut graf: The board heard that Midwest Food Bank has a heavy reliance on donated product and volunteers and faces an operational limit in its current facility; board members discussed possible ways to raise the group's profile and locate larger or donated space within the city.

Board members and staff noted the organization is largely volunteer run — Bus said about six employees support an operation that logged roughly 2,000 volunteers last year — and that local partners receive a large share of the bank's Southwest Florida distributions. The board discussed outreach to local companies and property owners; Bus said Midwest has tried to acquire the adjacent building owned by Heinz but that Heinz has not offered to sell. He told the board Heinz’s local plant does donate product.

Several board members suggested city assistance with publicity and introductions to potential property donors or sellers. Board members and staff asked whether donated warehouse space could be tax‑deductible; Bus answered that donated funds and typical donations are tax‑deductible but noted he was not a tax advisor.

Bus described the nonprofit’s disaster role, saying Midwest delivered roughly $16,000,000 in food in the month after Hurricane Ian and serves as a first responder for the Salvation Army in the region. He also described international relief efforts, including a program that ships shelf‑stable "Tender Mercies" meals to Haiti.

Ending: Board members said they would consider publicity ideas, a site tour and outreach to potential donors; no formal city action on funding or property acquisition was taken during the meeting.