Team members from the Fort Myers Beach Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille spent a recent June afternoon volunteering at the Gladiolus Food Pantry. Employees loaded clients’ cars, shucked corn and bagged it.
“Our team was happy to help out and support the pantry’s mission of reducing hunger by
providing healthy nutritious food,” said Ryan Cook, the Fort Myers Beach Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
general manager. “This is the second time we’ve partnered with the pantry, donating our time and our
energy to impact the community in a meaningful way.”
The Gladiolus Food Pantry served more children, adults and seniors in 2024, reaching 28,256
individuals and over 1 million pounds of food. The nonprofit organization has relied completely on
volunteer support, food and financial donations since its founding in 2013 and receives contributions from the Harry Chapin Food Bank and the Midwest Food Bank. By supplementing families’ food budgets, it aims to foster self-reliance and independence, serving all clients with dignity and respect.
For more information about Gladiolus Food Pantry, located on Gladiolus Drive in Harlem
Heights, visit gladiolusfoodpantry.org.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and parent company HM Restaurant Group have a long history of
philanthropy and community outreach in Southwest Florida, assisting local charitable groups committed
to conservation, community, education and the environment. With locations on Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel
Island and two in St. Petersburg, the restaurants have raised over $133,000 for the Golisano Children’s
Hospital of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers and John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg
through $1 donations from the sale of select cocktails.
A similar drink program funds Captains For Clean Water’s commitment to protect the health of
the Florida Everglades and Florida Bay. Doc Ford’s is also the title sponsor of the annual “Ding” Darling
& Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament. The event has donated over $1.57 million to conservation and water-
quality research at the island’s J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge since its inception in 2012.
The 14th annual tournament is May 15, 2026.
Renowned for its legendary guest experience, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is open daily from 11
a.m. to 10 p.m.
The award-winning restaurant offers food with a unique balance of flavors inspired by the
Caribbean Rim. Beloved for its sauces, spices and signature Yucatan shrimp served daily, Doc Ford’s is
highly regarded by locals and visitors alike as a spectacular seafood restaurant. The restaurant is a
perennial TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winner. The St. Petersburg Pier location was named the No. 1
restaurant for Best of the Best Restaurants for Everyday Eats in 2023.
Contact:
Jennifer Hamilton, Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and Public Relations, 239-275-5758,
[email protected]
