All Faiths Food Bank launches ‘ThankFULL’ campaign

In our region, there are an estimated 220,000 people who are facing hunger, including children: approximately 43% of Sarasota County students rely on free and reduced-cost school meals for the nutrition they need to grow and succeed academically; in DeSoto County, that number is 100%. United Way’s most recent ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) report shows that a family of four in Sarasota now needs nearly $109,000 a year just to afford the basics, like housing, childcare, food, healthcare and transportation, yet the median household income in Sarasota County is just $83,000.

While many in our community look forward to the holidays – a time of gathering, gratitude and celebration – for those buckling under unbearable financial pressures, they may be facing empty plates. As costs for food, gas and other necessities continue to rise, the “season of plenty” can look very different for people who are working hard but finding it impossible to make ends meet.

Unfortunately, hunger doesn’t take a break during the holidays.

For many years, All Faiths Food Bank and its partners have worked to ensure that – regardless of the current economic conditions – all area families can feel the joy of the season by distributing Thanksgiving turkeys and holiday meals, an effort supported through the ThankFULL fundraising campaign. This year’s goal is to distribute 14,500 turkey dinners through funds raised in October and November. Continued contributions throughout December will help provide 4.1 million holiday meals.

“When neighbors care for neighbors, we strengthen not only the people who need a helping hand, but the entire community we share,” said All Faiths President and CEO Nelle S. Miller. “Our neighbors need us now more than ever. We encourage the community to join us in ensuring local families have something to feel ThankFULL for this holiday season.”

Large-scale turkey distributions will take place in DeSoto and Sarasota counties in November, including: a veterans pantry turkey distribution Nov. 10 (Church of the Palms, Sarasota, 9-10:30 a.m.); Englewood Sports Complex Nov. 11 (5-7 p.m.); Venice Middle School Nov. 12 (5-6:30 p.m.); Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Nov. 14 (Sarasota, 9-11 a.m.); First Baptist Church of Ft. Ogden Nov. 17 (Arcadia, 10-11:30 a.m.); Ed Smith Stadium Nov. 18 (Sarasota, 4-6 p.m.); and South Florida State College Nov. 24 (Arcadia, 4:30-6 p.m.).

The funds for the turkey distributions and holiday meals are raised through generous individual, foundation and corporate gifts to the ThankFULL campaign, and through the support of the Kathleen K. Catlin Foundation of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which has now supported the effort generously for 12 years.

Holiday meals will be distributed through agency partner food distributions and All Faiths Food Bank’s mobile pantries. For details, visit the “Food Finder” page at allfaithsfoodbank.org. To donate to the ThankFULL campaign, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org/thankfull.

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 more than 300 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 four stars by Charity Navigator and is a partner of the Feeding America and Feeding Florida networks. Visit allfaithsfoodbank.org.