A Midsummer Night's Sing benefits The Soup Kitchen

COURTESY PHOTOS Sarah Owen, center, executive director Community Cooperative Ministries, collects food from Emily Kletzien, left, and Bruce Findley of Fort Myers to benefit The Soup Kitchen at last year's A Midsummer Night's Sing. Attendees contributed about 3,000 pounds of canned goods last year. Residents can help feed the hungry and give hope to the needy while enjoying an evening of music and fellowship at the 12th annual A Midsummer Night's Sing, sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships.

The event, planned for Tuesday, July 28, at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Myers, will be a 90-minute performance of hymns, instrumentalists and special guests. It begins at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is a voluntary cash donation and at least two cans of food (the more the better) to benefit The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative Ministries. Donations of canned goods also will be picked up by The Soup Kitchen for residents who cannot attend the event. Call 332-7687 to arrange pick-up of food.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we desperately need your help," said organizer Sam Galloway Jr. "The need for food is absolutely critical this year."

Mr. Galloway said cash donations are especially needed because The Soup Kitchen can buy five times as much food at the Harry Chapin Food Bank for the same amount of money that residents spend at local grocery.