We offer food assistance, financial support, educational programs, and other essential services that bring help and hope to neighbors in need. ICSL is a community service organization and United Way Partner agency serving the residents of South Ft Myers, Estero, and San Carlos Park. This is done through the food pantry and community programs such as, financial assistance, free income tax preparation, summer lunch and much more. Since its founding in 1991, ICSL has grown at a significant rate to meet the increasing needs of the community. ICSL receives grants from United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades counties to assist in the payment of client utility bills, rents and mortgages. Other programs include connecting clients with available services such as VITA a free income tax return preparation service and Meals on Wheels delivers meals to those in need. We continue to add programs as we are able in order to provide essential services that would otherwise go unmet. As the Estero/San Carlos Park United Way House, other UW partners are able to utilize our property to its fullest. Each week is busy with activities including teaching English as a second language and Money Management class by the Homeownership Resource Center, to teach budgeting, setting financial goals and becoming fiscally responsible. All of our programs are only possible through the availability of the facility purchased in the fall of 2008. We are thankful for the faithfulness of our supporters, staff, volunteers, and board of directors who demonstrate their compassion in many areas of service. Without them we would not be able to meet the needs of our neighbors in our community. 98% of our cash and in-kind donations received is used directly for program activities. ICSL’s continued success is directly dependent on our volunteers. Opportunities exist in our office and pantry for sorting baked goods, stocking shelves, and assisting clients that come for help. Volunteer drivers are needed for food pick up at stores, to deliver bread or hot meals. ICSL is also an approved service learning site for FGCU students and other youth that need to complete volunteer service hours. In 2015 362 volunteers recorded 18,884 hours of service. ICSL has 2 full time and 4 part time employees. ICSL is where real needs are met by real people, that is people like you and me caring about our neighbors. We continue to be a lifeline for more men, women and children every week. We continue to need your support through your time, energy and finances to enable us to purchase food, fund programs and operational costs, purchase capital equipment and pay down the mortgage.
