Free Bonita lunch program
helps fill growing need

Other services also available

BY CHRISTINA CEPERO • ccepero@news-press.
com • February 13, 2010

Cafe of Life in Bonita Springs has seen a steady
increase in people coming for the free weekday
lunches it serves under the banyan tree on Old 41
Road next to Community Hall in downtown.

In past years, Cafe of Life served 80-100 individuals
per day, but in 2009, the number averaged more
than 150 per day. In 2010, there have been several
days when more than 175 meals have been served,
including 233 on one day.

"The employment situation is so much worse now.
Even if they are working for one or two days, they
don't have enough to spread it out for themselves
and their families throughout the week," said
Marietta Bala, Cafe of Life board chairwoman.

Bonita Springs resident Edgar Arguello, 33, one of
about 130 men, women and children who got some
food Feb. 5, said he has struggled to find a steady
painting job.

Founded in 1998, Cafe of Life served more than
30,000 meals in 2009, up from 28,000 in 2008.

In addition to two part-time employees, the
nonprofit had the help last year of 536 volunteers
as well as United Way funding and donations from
hundreds of individuals, churches, area
supermarkets, and other businesses and groups.

Hot, nutritious meals are served from 10:30 a.m.-
noon Monday-Friday. Cafe of Life also distributes
groceries, clothing, personal items and household
goods and offers transportation for medical
appointment and job interviews.

When not provided by other agencies, clients may
receive help with emergency utility bills, rent and
medical prescriptions.

The Salvation Army, a partner agency, has a full-
time counselor on site every day and provides
health care and referral service to clients every
Thursday.

Since late 2004, the Cafe of Life has served its
clients on Old 41 Road between Reynolds and
Childers streets, using a van as a mobile pantry.

The nonprofit is looking for a 3-5 acre parcel to
build a permanent home.

"We continue to look but we have not found
anything yet," board member Bruce Wheatley said.

In the summer, Sneaky Pete's cooks and donates
meals twice a month, and Buffalo Chips once a
month.


The Renaissance Group of Bonita Springs gave
$1,000 to Cafe of Life to provide meals on the four
"Eat Your Heart Out" Fridays in February.

On Feb. 5, they bought the food from El Paisano
Mexican Restaurant on West Terry Street.

The meal included ribs in mole sauce, rice and
beans, tortillas and tostadas.

The juice and milk were from Benson's Grocery.
Individuals brought bananas and hard-boiled eggs.

Last Friday's meal and the remaining two will come
from El Forastero Restaurant on Old 41.

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Wheatley, who serves on the Cafe of Life and
Renaissance boards, said it's a boost for local
restaurants as well.

"Several of the restaurants' business is down," he
said.

"They are giving us an awful good deal on this as
well."

The Renaissance Group's 50 members have focused
on affordable housing for the past 10 years. So far,
11 of the 40 proposed homes at Renaissance at
Rosemary are completed, but only half have sold.

Renaissance has money set aside to complete that
project, in conjunction with the city and Bonita
Springs Area Housing Development Corporation,
but in the meantime, it's focusing on other projects
such as Cafe of Life.

"We do whatever we can to make Bonita Springs a
better place to live and to help out people who are
less fortunate," said Bernie Long, Renaissance board
secretary.

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