Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Inc.

Join me in making a difference!

My name is Kaylee Gallucci and I am 14 years old. I'm raising money for the Harry Chapin Food Bank (https://harrychapinfoodbank.org/) to help people affected by Hurricane Ian in Southwest Florida. Please take a moment to read my story below. Note that your donation will go directly to the Food Bank and is tax deductible.

I've seen firsthand how a storm can destroy your world and turn your life upside down overnight. Hurricane Sandy hit New York hard in 2012. My house was spared major damage, but my surrounding community was devastated and my school was ruined. I watched my parents do what they could to help our friends whose houses were flooded.

All my life my family has vacationed in Naples, FL, so it feels like home to me. When Hurricane Ian struck the area it made me feel terrible, both because I grew up knowing the impact a hurricane can have and because it destroyed a lot of a place I love. We have gotten to know so many people in the area and I feel horribly for those who were impacted – many severely.

To help, I made a small donation to Harry Chapin Food Bank with some of the money I earned over the summer bussing tables at a local restaurant. Then I realized what I could contribute on my own really wasn’t going to change anybody’s situation, so I started to think bigger – how could I have a greater impact? I spoke with my parents about doing a fundraiser, did some research, and this is what I came up with.

My charity is the Harry Chaplin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, which helps feed those in need. I love that it is local, so they really know the needs of those in the area. Any money you donate as part of this fundraiser goes directly to the Food Bank; nobody else, including myself, has access to it. I also looked them up on Charity Navigator, they get a perfect 4-star rating and give almost 97% of donations directly to those in need (very low administrative expenses).

I am asking you for two things that will take very little of your time. First, please donate to my fundraiser, whatever amount you are comfortable with as every little bit helps. But just as importantly, please please pass on my message and fundraiser information to people you know, and ask them to do the same. We are helping people who are in such a bad place right now, and the more of us who give a little will result in great relief for those in such a difficult situation that it is hard to even imagine. The goal is set at $15,000 – a lot of money, but I know WE can do it!

To help hold up my end of the bargain, I am going to run a 5K race for the first time in my life. I hate running, but in exchange for everyone helping I am committing to training and running the Naples Christmas Glow Run 5K on December 10.

THANK YOU from everyone whose lives we will have an immediate impact on during one of the worst times they have experienced.

Love,

Kaylee Gallucci