Sarasota, FL (November 4, 2022) – All Faiths Food Bank has, for many years, worked to brighten the holidays for those who are struggling to put food on the table. For Sarasota and DeSoto County residents and those who are already clients of the food bank, All Faiths will offer numerous distributions of frozen turkeys and sides in an effort to take empty plates and turn them into “ThankFULL tummies and hearts” this holiday season.
Challenging economic conditions, surging costs of living throughout the state and now the impacts of Hurricane Ian are hitting the most at-risk in our community hard, especially children, families, and seniors on fixed incomes. Since its founding in 1989, All Faiths Food Bank has provided food during the holidays, steadily expanding its efforts through the ThankFULL campaign.
Funds from this year’s ThankFULL campaign will enable All Faiths to distribute more than 13,000 turkeys and sides – the largest number ever – in advance of Thanksgiving, and a total of 3.6 million holiday meals.
On Wednesday, November 9, 4-6 p.m., frozen turkeys and side dishes will be distributed at Ed Smith Stadium (2700 12th St., Sarasota). Another turkey distribution will be held – in partnership with The Bay Sarasota – on Saturday, November 19, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (777 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota) from 9-11 a.m.
To help community members in DeSoto County, a large-scale distribution will be held at South Florida State College (2251 NE Turner Ave., #2700, Arcadia) on Tuesday, November 8, 4:30-6 p.m.
Through Thanksgiving, additional turkey distributions will take place at several of All Faiths Food Bank’s mobile pantry sites as well as through numerous partner agency locations, including school pantries and youth-serving nonprofits. Proof of Sarasota or DeSoto County residency is required. For more information about the turkey distributions, visit the food bank’s website, on the “Food Finder” page.
“As our community continues to face challenging economic conditions and recover from Hurricane Ian, we find already stretched resources reaching the breaking point,” said All Faiths Food Bank’s CEO Sandra Frank. “Our annual turkey distribution effort is just one way we endeavor to showcase the spirit of the season and let our neighbors in need know that we care. Many thanks to the Baltimore Orioles, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and The Bay Sarasota, and South Florida State College for providing their venues in support of this effort.”
The funds for the turkey distributions are being raised through generous individual, foundation and corporate gifts to the ThankFULL campaign as well as through the generous support of the Kathleen K. Catlin Foundation of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which has supported the effort for eight years now.
To donate to the ThankFULL campaign or to learn where and when to find upcoming food distributions, please visit allfaithsfoodbank.org.
About All Faiths Food Bank
All Faiths Food Bank is the only food bank and largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties, providing millions of meals each year with nearly 200 agencies and programs throughout the community. All Faiths works not only to fight hunger today but also strives to end hunger – forever – by helping families and individuals gain long-term food security, enjoy better health outcomes, and achieve self-sufficiency. In 2021, All Faiths distributed 19 million pounds of food – equating to 17 million meals, provided 36% more meals than 2019 (pre-pandemic), and remained steadfast in its commitment to provide nutritional assistance to community members, including 44% who were new to the food bank. For its efforts, All Faiths was honored as the 2021 “Nonprofit of the Year” by the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce; the organization was also recognized as a Top 4 Food Bank in the country in 2020. All Faiths is rated 4 stars by Charity Navigator and is a member of the Feeding America and Feeding Florida networks. For more information, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org.