All Faiths Food Bank to distribute thousands of turkeys

All Faiths Food Bank has, for many years, worked to brighten the holidays for our neighbors struggling to put food on the table. For Sarasota and DeSoto County residents and people who are already clients of the food bank, All Faiths will offer numerous distributions of frozen turkeys and sides in an effort to turn empty plates into “ThankFULL tummies and hearts” this holiday season.

The immense challenges of the past few years – runaway costs of essentials such as rent, food and gas, Covid and hurricanes – have hit those who were already struggling hard, especially children, families and seniors on fixed incomes, while new families have learned what it’s like to experience hunger.

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 campaign will enable All Faiths to distribute more than 13,000 turkeys and sides ahead of Thanksgiving, and a total of 3.6 million holiday meals.

All turkey distributions will be held as long as supplies last. On Saturday, November 11, starting at 9 a.m., frozen turkeys and side dishes will be distributed at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (777 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota); this effort is being held in partnership with The Bay Sarasota. Veterans are welcome to pick up turkeys and sides during the Veterans Pantry at Church of the Palms (3224 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota) on Tuesday, November 14, starting at 9 a.m. Another large-scale turkey distribution will take place at Ed Smith Stadium (2700 12th St., Sarasota) on Wednesday, November 15, starting at 4 p.m.

There will also be several locations for turkey distributions in DeSoto County, including at All Faiths Food Bank’s DeSoto Food and Resource Center (1021 E. Oak St., Arcadia) on Friday, November 17, starting at 11 a.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 Finder” page at allfaithsfoodbank.org.

“If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that hunger doesn’t take a break during the holidays and that many families feel the added pressure – and expense – of trying to provide seasonal meals and gifts,” 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 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, The Bay Sarasota and the Baltimore Orioles 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 support of the Kathleen K. Catlin Foundation of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which granted $75,000 this year and has supported the effort generously for nine years.

To donate to the ThankFULL campaign or 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 in collaboration with nearly 200 agencies and programs throughout the community. All Faiths works not only to end 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. 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.