Have a Holiday Heart

by Karen Coney Coplin

As a longtime Naples resident, I’ve seen firsthand how this community comes together when times are tough, like in the aftermath of Hurricanes Wilma, Irma & Ian.

Now we are facing a different type of challenge, with everyday costs rising and reductions in funding for programs assisting families in need. It doesn’t take much imagination to realize that some of our neighbors are quietly struggling.

It’s the holiday season with many of us planning, shopping, and wrapping presents for our loved ones. This month offers a chance to reach beyond our traditional circle of giving and lend support to the non-profit, charitable organizations that make life in Naples more vibrant for all.

By turning heartfelt concern and generosity into a community practice, we can nourish families by filling pantries, giving hope, and helping children thrive. As always, Naples shines brightest when we reach out to help each other.

Collier Resource Center— Two of many clients helped.

These organizations have been profiled in this column previously and bear consideration for year-end giving and 2026 planning:

1. Collier Resource Center – This is a community-based non-profit which offers case management, referrals and support for families facing challenges such as food insecurity, service access, & economic hardship. The organization can be reached at239.434.2030 for intake; for those clients helped by the CRC, there is no charge for case management and other services. Web: collierresourcecenter.org
2. Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida is one of the largest hunger relief organizations in the area, serving Naples and Collier County (Charlotte, Glades, Hendry& Lee Counties, too) through regional food distribution by partner agencies. The late singer Harry Chapin, who championed both the arts and hunger relief, said “To know is to care, to care is to act, and to act is to make a difference.” To help this organization serve 300,000 SW FL residents every month, consider a one-time or monthly gift. Visit online: HarryChapinFoodBank.org or call 239.334.7007 to help.
3. Meals of Hope – this organization is well-known for its community food-packing events such as one I attended with my daughters, years ago, at Gulfview Middle School, and more recently with the Cornell alumni group. This organization offers mobile food pantries (note: these also offer volunteer opportunities). If youhave a group interested in assembling food kits, visit mealsofhope.org or reach out at 239.537.777. The City of Naples just recognized the impact of Meals of Hope by commemorating November 2025, in the organization’s honor.
4. Pathways Early Education Center of Immokalee – in addition to a strong foundation for pre-K learning, this organization provides nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks. Center families also benefitfrom onsite baby food and diaper distribution for younger siblings. For ways to support Pathways, reach out via: pathwaysearlyeducation.org or call 239.403.7977.
5. Circle of Friends participants walk or run the Gordon River Greenway on the first Saturday of each month, raising funds to support a variety of charitable organizations. In October, this group featured “Weekend Meals by UUCGN” (Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples). November’s walk benefited the Children’s Advocacy Center, and January’s walk will take place on Jan. 10 at 8:30a.m., first hearing about Grace Place with the walk commencing by8:45 a.m. Visit circlefriends.gives for more ways to be involved with the Circle of Friends and their designated non-profits. Weekend Meals provides food to local school children who may not have healthy food or enough to eat on the weekends. uunaples.org for more information.
6. The Children’s Advocacy Center is an organization for children who may have experienced abuse, offering counseling services & legal advocacy in a child-friendly environment.caccollier.org or 239.263.8383 to assist.

Grace Place is committed to providing pathways out of poverty through youth education and adult literacy among other programs. graceplacenaples.org or 239.255.7200 for more ways to help.

Local non-profits have long carried much of the weight to help families find stability in times of need. Supporting these local groups demonstrates an unwavering degree of compassion in Naples. And, stronger still during the holiday season.

I’m abundantly thankful to call Naples my home and to connect with you here.

Let’s shine together!

Please contact Karen at NaplesKCC@gmail.com with suggestions for future article coverage, which is often centered on charitable organizations in Naples and the programs/services these groups offer.

To receive a copy of the full text of Emily Dickinson’s poem about hope; or with suggestions for future articles, especially about charitable organizations with new programs or ongoing programs

Additionally, for more vignettes about life in Naples, give her a follow-on Instagram @Naplesbythenumbers