One Of Our First News Clips from 2023 - St. Monica's Kitchen
ABOUT US
For Tony Mansolillo, food and friendship have always been at the heart of his life. He loved welcoming guests into his home, cooking for them, and sharing meals together. But when Covid struck in early 2020, everything changed. Like many others, Tony found himself spending more time online—yet his passion never faded. He connected with new friends on the NextDoor app, exchanging recipes and stories. When one of his recipe buddies mentioned her disability, Tony didn’t hesitate to offer a home-cooked meal, unknowingly setting out on a path that would change lives.
​
Word of his generosity spread, and soon Tony was preparing meals for six or seven people who had reached out through the app—individuals facing financial struggles, job loss, and uncertain futures. Recognizing the deep need in his community, he embraced the opportunity to do what he loved: cook nourishing meals and deliver them personally.
As more volunteers and supporters rallied behind his mission, Tony’s passion evolved into something bigger—a commitment to serve as many people in need as possible. By mid-2020, he was providing meals for over 150 individuals, and from this dedication, Feed Thy Neighbor, Inc. was born.
​
What started in Tony’s kitchen grew into a fully recognized nonprofit. Today, Feed Thy Neighbor operates from a commercial kitchen at the Bonita Springs Lions Club, serving those in need across Collier and Lee counties. Officially established as a community-owned 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization holds Federal IRS nonprofit status, a Florida State nonprofit certificate, and a Dun & Bradstreet number. It is also in the process of receiving a CAGE code from the Department of Defense, withSAMS.gov approval pending. These designations not only affirm Feed Thy Neighbor’s legitimacy but also open doors to federal grants, ensuring the organization can continue its vital mission.
MISSION STATEMENT
Feed Thy Neighbor is committed to uplifting individuals and families across Collier and Lee Counties by delivering nutritious meals each day and providing essential resources such as water, clothing, blankets, personal care items, school supplies, and holiday meals and gifts. Strengthened by partnerships with local agencies and grassroots community support, the organization also extends vital disaster relief to both neighborhoods and individuals. Guided by its core mission, Feed Thy Neighbor ensures that every person in need receives life’s basic necessities — offered with dignity, compassion, and without hesitation.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert Sanchez
Robert Sanchez is the FTN Secretary. He is a retired attorney with a background in engineering and considers himself a Naples “local” since moving here over 8 years ago with his family. In the beginning of FTN (April 2020) Bob saw Tony’s plea for help to deliver meals and volunteered to drive. “It (delivering) is the best job! Tony and other volunteers cook all day and I get all the ‘Thanks Yous’ and smiles when I hand out the meals!” As demand for Tony’s home cooked meals increased, it became apparent that Tony’s personal funding and other contributors’ donations was not going to be enough. “Tony just cannot say ‘NO’ to people in need. Someone told us that we could get additional funding and supplies if we were a formal charity, so Mr. Sanchez helped file for 503c(3) non-profit incorporation status. Hence, his position as secretary was created in the corporate documents by default! “We quickly realized that our wonderful community supporters were not going to be enough, based on the need we were finding in the field!”
Secretary
Ada Wisniewski
Vice President of the Board
Practice Manager - AUI (Advanced Urology Institute, Inc)
A busy medical professional, Ada worked alongside Tony to build Feed Thy Neighbor from the ground up. She served as the primary contact for neighbors requesting food through NextDoor, Facebook, and text, calculating need, devising delivery routes, and coordinating with volunteers to get food where it needed to go. She helped organize shopping, cooking, packaging, and delivering meals five days a week to neighbors in need.
Today, Ada leads fundraising and grant research for the organization, and keeps supporters updated across social media. Since Tony's passing, she has also stepped onto the board to help guide Feed Thy Neighbor forward.
Ada has always been a volunteer at heart. For many years, she provided services to the children and families of St. Jude's Hospital for Children.
Ada holds a Master's degree in Healthcare Administration and is currently pursuing her doctorate in the same field at the University of North Florida.
Melissa Singer
Vice President of the Board
Melissa Singer is passionate about helping people and learning. From her early days at Boston College and Yale Divinity School, Melissa has looked for ways to help the community as a volunteer. Throughout the years, she has volunteered in many organizations including the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group and a number of churches and schools while working as a college professor. Today, Melissa is a wife, a mom, a teacher and a fundraiser. Melissa is wife to Bill who is recovering from a recent cardiac event, mom to young lawyer Will, teacher to doctors and nurses in hospital systems across the country, and fundraiser for Feed Thy Neighbor as well as former Development Director for Boys and Girls Club of Collier County.
As retirement approaches, Melissa is eager to share her time and talent to benefit those served by Feed Thy Neighbor.
