ST INS CARES-Bonita Springs Assistance Office Keeps Families Fed & Housed

ST INS CARES-Bonita Springs Assistance Office Keeps Families Fed & Housed

A rent notice, a medical bill, a week without wages, or even higher grocery prices can knock a working family off balance fast, especially in Southwest Florida. We’re joined by Caily Martin, Executive Director of Bonita Assistance Office in Bonita Springs, to talk honestly about what crisis support looks like when you treat people like neighbors, not numbers. Gail Langner asks the questions many of us are afraid to ask until we need help ourselves: who qualifies, how private is it, and what can you do when you’re trying to hold it together? Caily breaks down the organization’s core programs, including a drive-up food pantry that provides a full week of groceries three times a week, with a strong focus on fresh produce and cook-at-home staples. We also talk through the details that make support feel dignified: clients stay in their cars, volunteers bring bags directly out, and the team intentionally varies items week to week so families get what they can actually use. You’ll hear how they distribute diapers and wipes through Healthy Start Diaper Bank, plus other essentials that can quietly make or break a household budget. The most moving moment comes from a case management story: a mother with young twins facing eviction after the sudden loss of her husband. Caily explains how Bonita Assistance Office bridged the rent gap, then connected the family to Valerie’s House for grief support and CareerSource for training and career growth, showing how smart referrals can turn a crisis into a path forward. If you want to help, we share clear ways to donate, volunteer, or host a diaper or food drive. Subscribe, share this episode with someone in Southwest Florida, and leave a review to help more neighbors find support when they need it most. Bonita Springs Assistance Office Caily Martin (239) 992-3034 25300 Bernwood Dr, Ste 6, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 info@bonitaassistance.org bonitaassistance.org [https://www.bonitaassistance.org/?fbclid=IwY2xjawS4sjFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFiMThlbms5ejc1emFlTlBic3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvP80KBTQu9DVj8tJXzhrQPVXjI-P1PD8js0l6N93kV8891WPAth6SvEWmOU_aem_WxSTzRN2lkcFXvAg8SbMeg] @BonitaAssistance State Insurance USA 4450 Camino Real Way Ft Myers, FL 33966 239-567-9992 office@StateInsuranceUSA.com [office@StateInsuranceUSA.com] stateinsuranceusa.com [https://stateinsuranceusa.com/] https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa [https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa] #StateInsuranceUSA #SupportLocal #WeLoveOurClients @Stateinsuranceusa Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor To Nominate Someone to be Featured Or To Subscribe to the Newsletter CLICK HERE [https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasst/] https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/ [https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasst/]

ST INS CARES-Estero Rotary Club of Estero-Service Above Self In Estero

A lot of people say they want to “give back,” but the real question is how. We sit down with Gary Israel, president of the Rotary Club of Estero, to get specific about what community service looks like when it’s organized, consistent, and welcoming. Rotary is one of the oldest service organizations in the United States, and Gary explains how local clubs take on real problems close to home while still carrying a bigger mission of service above self.  We dig into the projects that make the Rotary Club of Estero stand out in Southwest Florida, especially its youth programs. From Rotakids at Three Oaks Elementary to hands-on service like packaging rice and beans for Interfaith Charities Food Bank, the goal is to help kids build responsibility and discover that helping others can actually feel fun. We also talk about practical community support like school recycling efforts and a STEM-based school garden that teaches students how to grow vegetables and think differently about where food comes from.  You’ll also hear how Rotary funds this work through local fundraising events, including a successful golf tournament, a 5K run supporting children’s mental health, and community celebrations with raffles and 50-50 drawings. Gary shares how listeners can visit a meeting, join a social event, or donate to the Rotary Club Estero Foundation in a tax-deductible way. If you care about volunteering, charitable giving, and local nonprofits in Estero, this conversation offers a clear path to action. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves service, and leave us a review so more people can find the helpers in their own community. Rotary Club of Estero Gary Israel 10450 Corkscrew Commons Dr, Estero, FL 33928 (239) 287-4246 glipdg51@gmail.com esterorotary.org [https://esterorotary.org] @esterorotary State Insurance USA 4450 Camino Real Way Ft Myers, FL 33966 239-567-9992 office@StateInsuranceUSA.com [office@StateInsuranceUSA.com] stateinsuranceusa.com [https://stateinsuranceusa.com/] https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa [https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa] #StateInsuranceUSA #SupportLocal #WeLoveOurClients @Stateinsuranceusa Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor To Nominate Someone to be Featured Or To Subscribe to the Newsletter CLICK HERE [https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasst/] https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/ [https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasst/]

ST INS CARES-Healthy Start SWFL-Diapers Change Everything

Diapers sound small until you learn the truth: families can’t buy them with SNAP or WIC, daycares often require them, and running out can spiral into stress, missed work, and avoidable doctor visits. We sit down with Amanda Brunson, Associate Executive Director of Healthy Start Southwest Florida, to explain how one nonprofit is closing that gap and strengthening maternal and infant health across Lee, Collier, Hendry, and Glades counties. Amanda shares her personal why, including her own experience with a premature birth, limited family support nearby, and the challenges that follow a NICU stay. That story connects directly to the heart of Healthy Start’s work: home visiting programs that show up consistently, build trust, and help parents navigate pregnancy, newborn care, and early childhood with practical guidance and real resources. We dig into what Healthy Start actually does day to day, from the Connect coordinated intake and referral system that matches families to the right services, to multiple home visiting options like Nurse-Family Partnership with registered nurse visitors, and Team Dad, a program built specifically for fathers. You’ll also hear about Help Me Grow developmental screenings and the fetal and infant mortality review work that looks for community-level improvements in birth outcomes. Along the way, Amanda breaks down how their diaper bank scales impact through partner pickup sites and National Diaper Bank purchasing power, and why monetary donations can stretch farther than most people expect. If you want pregnancy support, parenting resources, or a way to help families thrive in Southwest Florida, this one offers clear next steps. Subscribe, share with a friend who cares about maternal and infant health, and leave a review to help more neighbors find these resources. Healthy Start Southwest Florida Amanda Brunson (239) 425-6920 Customer Service: (800) 883-1959 Fort Myers Office: 1921 Jefferson Avenue Fort Myers, FL 33901 healthystartbaby.org [https://healthystartbaby.org/] State Insurance USA 4450 Camino Real Way Ft Myers, FL 33966 239-567-9992 office@StateInsuranceUSA.com [office@StateInsuranceUSA.com] stateinsuranceusa.com [https://stateinsuranceusa.com/] https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa [https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa] #StateInsuranceUSA #SupportLocal #WeLoveOurClients @Stateinsuranceusa Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor To Nominate Someone to be Featured Or To Subscribe to the Newsletter CLICK HERE [https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasst/] https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/ [https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasst/]

FMBGN-HW-Balanced Nutrition-That Fits Real Life

Your feed is full of nutrition rules, but your body still feels stuck. We’re joined by Francesca Scerbo, founder of Balanced Nutrition, to talk about what actually works when you want better energy, better digestion, and a plan you can live with not a short-term diet you’ll quit by next month. Francesca brings a food first, evidence-based perspective shaped by her background in clinical nutrition and exercise science, plus real life experience coaching clients through change without the all-or-nothing pressure. We dig into why “diet” is often a recipe for disaster and how a lifestyle-based approach adapts to your schedule, stress, and goals. Francesca explains why gut health matters so much right now, how inflammation shows up as bloating, gas, belching, and bathroom issues, and why supplements can’t outrun ultra-processed food. She also shares a simple experiment many people can try: removing gluten for two weeks, then reintroducing it to see what your body tells you. We also focus on women’s health and hormones, including why many women undernourish during perimenopause and menopause, how cortisol can fight fat loss when you overdo cardio, and why strength training and protein intake matter. Francesca offers concrete starting points like aiming for 100 grams of protein per day and building your morning around 30 grams, along with the bigger picture: hydration, sleep, stress reduction, and learning to read food labels. If you’re ready for a realistic nutrition plan that supports gut health, hormone balance, and sustainable weight loss, listen now then share this with a friend, subscribe, and leave a review so more neighbors can find it. What’s one small change you want to make this week? Balanced Nutrition Francesca Scerbo (239) 610-4921 9341 Tulipano Ter, Naples, FL 34119 francescascerbo121@gmail.com balancednutritionlifestyle.com [https://www.balancednutritionlifestyle.com/] @francescabalancednutrition Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor To Nominate Someone to be Featured Or To Subscribe to the Newsletter CLICK HERE [https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasst/] https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/ [https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasst/]

ST INS CARES-Summit Christian School-Small Classes & Big Heart In SWFL

A lot of schools talk about “student-centered learning,” but what does that actually look like when a child is tired, overwhelmed, or starting to disappear in a crowded classroom? We sit down with Megan from Summit Christian School in Southwest Florida to talk about the practical choices that shape a calmer, happier, more connected K to 8 experience, from smaller class sizes to a culture where kids are truly seen and known. Megan shares what she does at Summit, including admissions, onboarding, communications, and events, and why she’s passionate about changing what customer service looks like in education. We get into why the campus can feel like a hidden gem, how the school is working to raise local awareness, and what families notice most when they tour: joyful classrooms, teachers with autonomy, and a space that feels welcoming rather than clinical. We also explore what makes Summit stand out for families who need more support. Megan explains how the school serves students who are struggling, including those with IEPs or 504 plans, and why that matters in the private school landscape. You’ll hear how tours can happen any time of year, what the waitlist realities look like by grade, and why Summit is even exploring whether a high school could meet a real need in the area. If you care about Christian education, small class sizes, healthier screen-time boundaries, and real partnership between school and home, this conversation will give you plenty to think about. Subscribe, share this with a parent or educator, and leave a review so more people can find the stories making a difference in our communities. Summit Christian School in Southwest Florida Megan Robertson 9065 Ligon Ct, Fort Myers, FL, United States, 33908 (239) 482-7007 office@summitchristianschool.org summitswfl.org [https://www.summitswfl.org/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSvvz9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFITkJ5aTRkSzEwS3VXYWdKc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrESaoyjGiebok1Y3j9cioQA8gBBPBYJaeXcRd66CgdYOn2W6-yTow5HLumu_aem_YWdncwNkxlufrBpLsLGH9sqE24pI&brid=YWdncwFItykxs_QjpwwKY_2g8VO1] @SummitChristianSchool State Insurance USA 4450 Camino Real Way Ft Myers, FL 33966 239-567-9992 office@StateInsuranceUSA.com [office@StateInsuranceUSA.com] stateinsuranceusa.com [https://stateinsuranceusa.com/] https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa [https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa] #StateInsuranceUSA #SupportLocal #WeLoveOurClients @Stateinsuranceusa Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor To Nominate Someone to be Featured Or To Subscribe to the Newsletter CLICK HERE [https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasst/] https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/ [https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasst/]