The Colony Project's Beginnings
The Colony Project was started in 2014 by Colony resident, Jill Kushner, who is passionate about feeding the hungry kids and other needy residents in Bonita Springs and Estero. In 2019, Jill asked The Bridge Fund to become custodian of The Colony Project funds and manage their distribution. Jill continues to be responsible for The Colony Project fundraising, with all donations going to The Bridge Fund solely to meet The Colony Project’s specific objectives.
Thank you to Jill for her incredible support and compassion in starting
The Colony Project!
How The Colony Project Works
The Bridge Fund has enlisted the support of several community partners to provide various new or expanded year-round, seasonal and emergency food programs.
Thanks to The Colony Project:
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Cafe of Life is offering new programs serving the seniors, migrant workers, and infants and preschoolers
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Blessings in a Backpack has expanded its reach into schools in our community
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Meals on Wheels through Community Cooperative has increased the number of seniors and shut-ins served in Bonita Springs, and added a new Estero delivery route
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Salvation Army is providing fresh produce, meat and dairy to families in Bonita Springs
Who The Colony Projects Serves
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41 homebound seniors and others receive bi-weekly deliveries of fresh produce and dairy products, and complete holiday meals through Café of Life.
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300 school children at risk of undernourishment at home find a weekend take-home food pack tucked into their backpacks on Friday afternoon, supplied by Blessings in a Backpack.
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45 migrant farm worker families pick up shelf-stable grocery and household items delivered weekly to their encampments by Cafe of Life.
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60 food insecure families who rely on the Cafe of Life's weekday lunch site take home chicken or ground beef meal supplies for the weekend
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More than 60 families can pick up fresh produce, meat and dairy for a 5-week period through Salvation Army
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More than 100 isolated seniors and other shut-ins receive deliveries of meals, pet food and hygiene items - along with friendly, personal contact - from Meals on Wheels.
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100 infants and pre-school children are served healthy snacks while they or a parent participate in Cafe of Life activities.
Making a Difference in Bonita Springs and Estero
Since 2019, The Colony Project has provided over $500,000 for programs to fight food insufficiency in our Bonita Springs/Estero community.
The Colony Project 's Impact
A message to The Colony Project supporters from the CEO of Community Cooperative:
“Thank you to The Bridge Fund and The Colony Project for helping provide food to seniors through our Meals on Wheels program and groceries to underserved families in food-insecure areas of Bonita Springs and Estero. Your contribution goes beyond financial assistance. The Colony Project has shown a commitment to building a healthier, more compassionate community. Your dedication to helping us end food-insecurity is making a positive impact on the lives of many, and we look forward to our continued partnership.”