Services
Meeting The Needs of The Community
The heart and soul of everything we do are our volunteers. Their kindness, energy, and unwavering commitment make each of our services possible. Since 2020, more than 21,500 caring individuals have given their time and heart to our mission, contributing over 38,900 volunteer hours to support our community.
In addition to these efforts, our incredible and dedicated cooking teams also pour their hearts into preparing and serving meals with love at our feeding site, Leitner Park — contributing more than 40,000 volunteer team hours since July 2024 alone.
Thanks to the generosity of our community partners like Fresh Market, Publix, and Farmer Mike’s U Pick — along with local churches, neighborhoods, and groups who host food drives on our behalf– our volunteers are able to extend hope and nourishment to so many. Their dedication reminds us that compassion has the power to feed both body and spirit, and that when people come together for a shared purpose, lasting change begins to bloom.
Each day, Cafe of Life stands as a testament to what’s possible when love leads the way — when service becomes a bridge between need and kindness, and when community becomes family. We are proud of the impact made possible through our many vital services that touch lives in meaningful and lasting ways.
We invite you to explore each service we provide and see the heart, hard work, and hope captured in every picture. Every image tells a story — of volunteers who show up, of lives changed, and of a community growing stronger together.
How we serve
Daily Meal Services
Every weekday, Café of Life becomes a sanctuary where hunger is met with compassion. A hot meal served Monday through Friday means more than nutrition–it means someone cares, someone sees the struggle, and someone chooses to respond. Along with the hot meal and clothing, families and individuals leave with not just sustenance, but dignity. Weekends extend this care with a cook-at-home meal of a chicken, rice and beans and healthy snacks for children, ensuring no one faces empty cupboards when our doors are closed.
The Café of Life provides a hot nutritious meal Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The hands of our volunteers cook the meals and literally place nourishment, and renewed hope into someone else’s life. Each meal begins with a prayer given in English and Spanish by our site manager.
The ripple effect of these meals is powerful. For many, a shared meal is the one time they feel safe, heard, and cared for. It is the difference between despair and renewed hope, a reminder that even in the hardest circumstances, kindness can nourish body and spirit alike.
Outreach
Café of Life doesn’t wait for need to come to us we go where we’re needed most. When we hired our first Outreach Coordinator in February 2016, we expanded our mission beyond the walls of Leitner Neighborhood Park. Since then, our Outreach Program has grown into a lifeline for individuals and families who might otherwise go unseen and unsupported.
From 2017 to today, our outreach continues to embody the heart of Café of Life. We bring relief directly into 5 underserved neighborhoods. Every week, fresh produce, food, hygiene products, clothing and infant supplies are transported by our vans and distributed at each underserved neighborhood. Our outreach events are made stronger through our partnerships with Lee County Mobile Library and Family Health Centers, ensuring that health, literacy, and nutrition come together to assist with medical care and library services.
From October through May, Café of Life stands alongside the hardworking seasonal migrant workers at the Six L’s camp, providing essential food, fresh produce, hygiene items, bed sheets, towels and new shoes to over 200 individuals. These acts of care nourish both body and spirit, honoring the dignity and resilience of those who help sustain our community.
We believe that every child deserves warmth, and the confidence to thrive. That’s why, with the help of our generous donors, we provide cozy sweaters to students at Spring Creek Elementary and Bonita Springs Elementary—simple gifts that wrap children in care and serves as a reminder to them that they are seen, valued and supported. We provide a resource center at Bonita Charter School for disadvantaged students to receive clothing, shoes, hygiene products, school supplies and more. A winter clothing event is held in the Fall to distribute winter clothing to children and adults who may have nothing to keep them warm during the winter cold.
Along with these services our Seniors and medically fragile neighbors are not forgotten. Seniors and those with disabilities receive a hot meal. Ensuring they are honored in their vulnerability. These visits become more than just distribution days–they are lifelines. Families know someone will show up, not just with bags of groceries, but with warmth, connection, and respect. For many, it is the difference between isolation and belonging, between struggling alone or walking with a community that cares.
Our volunteers are vital to make this possible. Their time fills the vans with food, essentials, and needed items. Their presence brings life to each delivery–while sending a message that says, “You are worth the effort. You are not forgotten.”
Transportation
In 2017, the Cafe took a bold and compassionate step forward by launching our Transportation Program–an initiative born from listening to the voices of our community. Many of our clients were struggling to reach our feeding site because reliable transportation simply wasn’t available. Public transit options were limited due to affordability by our clients, and too many families were left behind. We knew something had to change –and so, we set our mission in motion.
With the support of donors and the dedication of our volunteers, we hired a part-time Coordinator and, in April 2017, purchased our first 14 passenger transportation bus. This bus became more than just a vehicle–it became a lifeline. It made it possible to bring people safely to our feeding site. A second bus was donated in 2021. A bus departs from our office at 10540 Childers Street, driven by compassionate volunteers who give their time and hearts to this mission, and picks up clients at several low-income neighborhoods/trailer parks.
In 2024, our Transportation program expanded from two 14 passenger buses to include a much-needed cargo van for use in picking up generous donations from Publix, Farmer Mike’s U-Pick, Fresh Market, transportation of purchased food, as well as, picking up food from community food drives. This cargo van was a generous donation from a supporter. This allowed our fleet to grow to include three vehicles–each serving a unique and vital role.
With this expanded schedule, we are now able to reach more clients in our outreach communities five days a week, ensuring to many feel seen and cared for.
We also received a disaster response vehicle donated by The American Red Cross, ready for use in emergency situations when rapid response can make all the difference. And through our partnership with Bikes and Tykes, along with many individually donated bikes, we provide bicycles to clients who need transportation to work or school–helping them move toward greater independence and stability.
Every trip our volunteers make represents more than smiles on the road. It’s a journey of compassion–a ride toward opportunity, connection, and renewed hope. When someone steps into the bus they’re not just being transported to a meal — they’re being welcomed into a community that truly cares. Each delivery of fresh produce means a family will gather around their table tonight. Each bicycle given means a parent can reach their job on time or a student can attend school ready to learn. This is what love in motion looks like.
Our Transportation program also includes prepaid gas gift cards and prepaid bus passes for both the Lee County bus system and the Bonita Springs door-to-door public bus system.
When you volunteer with us, you’ll see first hand the gratitude, the smiles, and the joy that comes from simply showing up and lending a hand. Our volunteers are the heartbeat of this mission, proving that when we move together, we move mountains.
Women's Life Skills
Café of Life invests in the empowerment of women through hands-on training in sewing, gardening, health, learning English, and nutrition. These are not just classes–they are pathways to independence, resilience, and creativity to build brighter futures.
Every stitch sewn, every meal prepared, every garden tended, every tutoring session to improve language skills reflects a woman discovering her own strength.
For many, it is the first time they feel capable of shaping their futures rather than only reacting to hardship. These skills ripple out into stronger families and healthier communities.
Our volunteers fuel this empowerment. Donated materials, teaching hours, and financial backing allow us to expand the program, giving more women tools that last a lifetime.
Primary Medical Care
Access to healthcare is life-changing, yet many in our community go without it. Twice each month, Café of Life brings healthcare directly to those who need it most, hosting Premier Health at the feeding site. Here, individuals receive essential preventative, diagnostic, and treatment services that would otherwise be out of reach.
Beyond immediate care, these visits foster trust and connection between patients and medical professionals. They take the time to listen, learning each person’s story, struggles, and hope. Through consistent presence and open hearts, Café of Life builds bridges of health and humanity that strengthen the entire community.
Every child receives a full checkup before the school year begins—ensuring they start strong, healthy, and ready to learn. These visits go beyond physical wellness; they empower children with confidence and give parents peace of mind. Immunization and vision screening, as well as growth assessments help catch concerns early, setting each child up for long-term success. When children are healthy, they are better able to focus, learn, dream–creating a ripple effect of hope that extends far beyond the classroom.
In the quiet moments of medical care, healing begins–not just of the body, but of the spirit. Lives are renewed, pain is eased, and dignity is restored. Café of Life’s commitment to compassionate healthcare transforms what might seem like an ordinary clinic visit into something extraordinary–a moment of grace where love and medicine meet to bring lasting change.
Financial Assistance
When life’s emergencies hit—an eviction notice, overdue utility bills, medical crisis–Café of Life stands in the gap. We offer critical financial assistance to keep lights on, assist with emergency rental assistance, and manage urgent dental needs for uninsured children.
The path to hope begins with understanding. We start by meeting each person—through a caring intake assessment. Then we walk beside them, providing follow-up support and addressing ongoing needs, ensuring no one faces their challenges alone.
Behind each check is a story of a family spared from homelessness, a single parent able to provide stability, or an individual spared the crushing weight of impossible choices. This isn’t just assistance—it’s a lifeline. A bridge and hand-up during life’s most desperate moments. A chance to breathe again when survival feels out of reach.
Through the generosity of our donors, we literally keep roofs over heads and children with a restful night. Together we turn crisis into stability and despair into hope.
Camp Sponsorships
For children living in hardship, attending camps can be a season of limitation. But Café of Life changes that by sponsoring 25-50 children to YMCA summer, winter, and spring camps every year. These camps offer swim programs where they can play, learn, and discover their own potential—while also providing swim lessons that can save lives.
Through sports and recreational activities at camp, children also learn lessons that extend far beyond the playing field. Team sports teach cooperation, communication, and respect–skills that form the foundation of leadership and empathy. Individual challenges like swimming laps or climbing a rock wall build perseverance and resilience, showing kids that effort and practice lead to growth and achievement.
These lessons shape how they face real-life challenges later on–whether it’s tackling school, pursuing a career, or overcoming personal obstacles. The discipline, patience, and self-control they learn through physical activity become tools they can use for a lifetime.
For a child, a week at camp means freedom, laughter, and friendships they may never have had otherwise. It means discovering talents, gaining confidence, and building memories that outshine hardship. It helps them realize they are capable of more than they ever imagined.
These experiences become defining moments that carry into adulthood and turn into lifelong strengths–creating adults who believe in themselves, contribute to their communities, and lift others as they were once lifted.
Scholarships
Education unlocks doors that poverty too often keeps closed. Café of Life provides scholarships for post-high school education and vocational training, turning possibility into reality for students with big dreams but limited means.
When opportunity meets determination, transformation begins. Every scholarship given plants a seed of hope that grows far beyond the individual–it inspires families, uplifts communities, and creates ripples of change for generations to come.
Behind every success story is someone who daraed to believe. Café of Life stands beside these students, reminding them that their goals are within reach. Wehn we invest in their education, we invest in courage, resilience, and the unstoppable human spirit. These students are not only changing their own lives–they’re becoming role models for others who dream of doing the same.
The path to success is rarely easy, but it is always worth it. Through perseverance and the support of others, students learn that every challenge is a steppingstone toward greatness. Café of Life scholarships give them the chance to keep moving forward, no matter how difficult the journey, knowing that they are not alone.
Each scholarship represents belief in a student’s future. It is the difference between shelving a dream and stepping into it. These young men and women carry forward not only their education but the confidence that someone believes in them and that someday they will make a contribution to their community and families.
Scholarships are made possible due to our extraordinary donors. Their donations carry a powerful message. Together we can help break cycles of poverty and launch futures filled with potential. When compassion meets action, lives change. We are building a brighter tomorrow, one student at a time.
Music Program
Through Café of Life’s music program, children learn piano, guitar, and violin–opening their minds and hearts to creativity, discipline, and expression. Music becomes more than sound, it becomes healing, joy, and self-discovery.
Learning to play an instrument strengthens the mind. Studies show that children who study music develop sharper memory, improved focus, and stronger problem-solving skills. Reading music, keeping rhythm, and coordinating hands and ears work together to build powerful neural connections that enhance learning in all areas–from math and reading to communication and critical thinking.
But beyond the academic benefits, music teaches patience and perseverance. Every scale practiced, every song mastered reminds a child that growth takes time and effort.
Students receive personalized half-hour lessons on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. A dedicated volunteer is always present, ensuring very class runs smoothly and every child receives the support they need to thrive.
Café of Life’s music program is growing—opening new doors of opportunity and expression for children in our community. With the addition of a violin instructor and two new piano instructors, we now offer lessons in piano, guitar, and violin, with voice instruction soon to come.
For a child who may feel voiceless, learning an instrument creates a new language. It gives them a stage to express their emotions, to discover strengths, and to know their voice matters. Music plants seeds of confidence and builds self-esteem that echo far beyond the notes played. Café of Life’s music program does more than teach instruments–it inspires hearts, fuels dream, and empowers the next generation to believe in the beauty they can create.
Legal and Immigration
The path to stability and citizenship is often daunting, filled with paperwork, fear, and barriers. Café of Life stands as an advocate for immigrants, offering tutoring for the U.S. Citizenship Test, and personalized assistance with immigration forms, visas, passports, and consular appointments.
We guide clients through complex legal processes-preparing documents, translating materials, and helping families complete guardianship forms for children with disabilities. We coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security to track case statuses, connect clients to trusted legal representation, and prepare them for attorney interviews.
Café of Life also provides notary services and serves as a liaison between the State Attorney’s Office and victims of crime.
Together we stand for the promise of a better tomorrow.
Special Events
Café of Life celebrates community through annual special events that remind families they are never alone. Every act of kindness we share becomes a spark that lights the way for someone else. When people come together to give, serve, and uplift, the ripple effects reach far beyond a single moment. Café of Life believes that compassion isn’t just a feeling–it is an action that transforms lives, strengthens neighborhoods, and reminds us that hope grows strongest when it’s shared.
The back-to-school backpack ensures children are equipped with uniforms, supplies, and confidence for a successful school year.
Behind every backpack handed to a child is a message of belief: You can do this. These simple tools become symbols of opportunity and confidence, empowering students to walk into the classroom ready to learn, dream, and achieve. When a child feels prepared, they feel valued–and that feeling changes everything.
Thanksgiving brings over 550 hot meals to families across multiple sites, filling homes with both food and gratitude.
Each meal served is more than nurishment–it’s a reminder that kindness has no season. Volunteers pour love into every dish, creating moments of connection that remind families they are seen, cared for, and supported. Around every table, laughter replaces worry and gratitude fills the air, proving together, we can turn simple acts into powerful expressions of humanity.
At Christmas, hundreds of children receive gifts, ensuring joy is shared across our community.
These gifts are more than toys–they are symbols of hope and belonging. For parents, they bring relief. For children, they spark imagination and joy. The spirit of Christmas lives in these shared moments, reminding every family that they are part of something greater–a community that cares deeply and gives generously.
These events are about more than backpacks, meals, or gifts–they are about belonging. They restore joy in families and children that otherwise might feel forgotten during milestones and holidays. They say, “You are part of this community. You matter.”
Through every event, Café of Life stands as a beacon of unity and compassion. We celebrate the beauty of giving, the power of connection, and the truth that none of us are ever truly alone when we lift one another up.
