Naples, Fla. — Jan. 30, 2026 — Feeding Dreams, a Naples-based non-profit, raised $1 million to support meals, mentorships, and scholarships for at-risk children across Florida during a January 23 event at the Naples Yacht Club. The celebration drew 134 guests and featured dinner, entertainment, and a paddle raise. The funds raised will support the organization’s weekend meals program and two new initiatives, The Feeding Dreams Scholarship and Mentor Program.

“This night was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared purpose,” said Ed Mullen, founder and chairman of Feeding Dreams. “The incredible support we received will ensure thousands of kids in need are fed and supported through mentorship and post-secondary education opportunities.” Since its founding, Feeding Dreams has provided more than 12 million nutritious meals to children facing hunger. The Feeding Dreams Scholarship and Mentor Program pairs community leaders who volunteer as mentors with students from underserved backgrounds in Collier County. Mentors offer career guidance, resources, and encouragement to help students navigate through high school and into college or vocational school. By combining nutritional support with mentorship and scholarships, Feeding Dreams aims to help students overcome barriers and escape poverty.

“Education provides the way out of poverty,” Mullen added. “Feeding Dreams’ three-pronged approach—food, mentoring, and scholarships—is how we lift children out of hardship and help them build a life of self-sufficiency.”

The event featured live music and a live painting experience from acclaimed New York City artist Ariel Soto who created a one-of-a-kind piece inspired by childrens’ dreams. The artwork served as a moving visual reminder of the organization’s goal of nourishing both bodies and dreams.

NAPLES, Fla. – Nov. 18, 2025 – Feeding Dreams announces a new charitable gift of $20,000 from the Collier Community Foundation. The funds will be used to supply Power Packs, weekend backpack meals, to children at Guadalupe Center in Immokalee, Fla. The purpose of the Weekend Backpack Meals for Hungry Children program is to replace the calories children miss over the 68-hour hunger gap between Friday’s school lunch and Monday morning’s school breakfast. Feeding Dreams provides a “best in class” set of weekend backpack meal offerings including 15 kid-friendly, shelf stable meals designed to meet or exceed the USDA recommendations for calories, carbohydrates, and protein for elementary school aged children for two days over the weekend.

“68 hours is a long time for a child to go without eating and kids can’t learn on an empty stomach,” said Feeding Dreams Executive Director Jeri Goetz. “During the week, students eat breakfast and lunch at school. Over the weekend they often go without eating enough or at all. Our meals fill that 68 hour weekend hunger gap. We know that Feeding Dreams Power Pack students earn better grades, achieve better attendance, receive fewer behavior infractions, and visit the school nurse less frequently. We’re grateful to Collier Community Foundation.”