News Article

FSW Foundation’s Mina Edison Society® Holds Drive to Benefit FSW Students and Bucs C.A.R.E.

Nov 2, 2020

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 – FORT MYERS, FLA – The Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) Foundation, Inc.’s Mina Edison Society® will hold a Mina’s Pantry supply drive to benefit FSW’s Bucs C.A.R.E. food and supply pantry. Items can be dropped off from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 – 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12 under the portico at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy., Fort Myers. A list of needed items can be found at https://foundation.fsw.edu/minaspantry/.

“We currently have 16 homeless or housing insecure students in FSW Case Management, and 39 FSW students received case management for emergency housing in the spring and summer semesters as a result of the COVID-19 crisis,” said Angie Snyder, assistant dean of students and BUCS C.A.R.E. case manager. “Bucs C.A.R.E. has also responded to 95 students of concern so far this year.”

Bucs C.A.R.E. is an umbrella of services that provides support for all students through challenges they may face during their time at FSW. Bucs C.A.R.E. assists in proactively connecting all students with campus resources and community partners for a successful academic, social, and emotional experience by expertly coordinating services, advocating for student rights, responding to students in distress, and empowering students to overcome barriers to their success and wellbeing in order to encourage long term growth at FSW and beyond.

“During the holidays, we generally see an uptick in housing and food insecurity,” Snyder said. “Last November, we helped 11 students in need of emergency housing, and the Harry Chapin Food Bank was generous enough to donate 40 extra boxes of Harry’s Helpings to cover the increase of need due to food insecurity. So far in 2020, the Harry Chapin Food Bank has provided us with 225 food boxes and made the FSW Lee Campus a stop for its Mobile Food Pantry during the quarantine.”

“The Mina Edison Society®, comprised of area trustees and business leaders, believes that education is the basis to building a strong human capital in Southwest Florida,” said Ginny Henderson, City of Fort Myers’ first lady and FSW Mina Edison Society® member. “Providing pantry items helps students financially and emotionally and lets them focus on education, not survival.”

For more information about the Mina’s Pantry supply drive, contact Victoria Stephan, FSW Foundation, Inc. director of development, at victoria.stephan@fsw.edu. For more information about Bucs C.A.R.E., contact Angie Snyder, FSW assistant dean of students, at angela.snyder@FSW.edu.

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Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and most affordable institution of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 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.

Believing in the boundless potential of young people, Mina Edison Society® empowers students at Florida SouthWestern State College to navigate their path toward success. Founded in 2007, the Mina Edison Society® awards academic scholarships to high-achieving students through the FSW Foundation, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. For more information on becoming a member, visit Foundation.fsw.edu/MinaSociety or call 239-489-9210.                  

Last Updated: November 2, 2020