All Faiths Food Bank prepares community for hurricane season

As hurricane season begins, All Faiths Food Bank is prepared to respond to weather-related emergencies across Sarasota and DeSoto counties, ensuring families have access to food, water and critical supplies before, during and after a disaster.

While the region was spared major impacts during last year’s hurricane season, three destructive storms in 2024 brought widespread damage and disrupted the lives of tens of thousands of residents across Southwest Florida. For families already struggling to make ends meet, a hurricane can quickly turn a difficult situation into a crisis, making access to food, water and essential supplies even more critical.

As the region’s only food bank and the largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties, All Faiths Food Bank is a key partner in local, state and national disaster response efforts. The organization plans year-round for emergencies, maintaining a ready supply of shelf-stable meals, bottled water, hygiene items and other critical resources. Its extensive warehouse capacity allows supplies to be stockpiled and deployed quickly when needed.

Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, All Faiths Food Bank provided more than 293,000 meals, 57,568 snacks and 90,044 bottles of water to neighbors affected by the storms. The organization also coordinated emergency distributions and delivered supplies to shelters, community partners and relief sites throughout the region.

“Weather-related crisis response is an area where you hope to be overprepared and underutilized,” said Ryan Beaman, senior director of operations & disaster management at All Faiths Food Bank. “Hurricane preparedness requires intensive collaboration and communication, and we are fortunate to work alongside dedicated partners who share a commitment to ensuring our communities have access to food, water and essential resources when they need them most.”

In advance of hurricane season, All Faiths Food Bank participates in hurricane expos throughout the region, from Arcadia, Sarasota and Venice to Englewood and North Port. Staff members distribute information about emergency food assistance, food safety during power outages and other preparedness resources.

Working in close coordination with local and state emergency management agencies, All Faiths Food Bank delivers food, water and emergency supplies to shelters and relief sites before, during and after a storm. As part of the Feeding America and Feeding Florida networks, the organization is also positioned to support statewide and national disaster relief efforts when needed.

"All Faiths Food Bank is an invaluable partner in our community's resilience, not just during a storm, but every day of the year," said Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi. "Hurricane preparedness is a year-round responsibility. No two storms are alike, so don't rely on past experiences. Know your evacuation level, heed official warnings and ensure your emergency kit includes food and water for every member of your household, including pets."

Once conditions are safe following a storm, the food bank launches emergency mobile distributions to provide food and essential resources to impacted residents. All Faiths also supports emergency response efforts by supplying cots for emergency personnel, hygiene items for evacuees at local shelters and, if activated, serving as a shelter location for Sarasota County’s Tactical First-In Team (TFIT).

Neighbors seeking emergency food assistance after a storm can visit allfaithsfoodbank.org for updates, resources and emergency distribution information. Updates are also shared on Facebook and Instagram (@allfaithsfoodbank).

All Faiths Food Bank continues to collaborate with the Florida State Emergency Response Team (SERT), Sarasota County Emergency Management, the Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) network and the American Red Cross Community Adaptation Program to strengthen regional preparedness and response efforts.

Community members can support hurricane preparedness and response efforts through financial contributions and volunteer service. Donations allow All Faiths to purchase and deploy resources quickly during emergencies, while volunteers help to staff emergency food distributions following a disaster. Those interested in volunteering can sign up in advance at allfaithsfoodbank.org/volunteer.

For more information about hurricane preparedness in Sarasota County, visit scgov.net/government/emergency-services/hurricane-preparedness-6291. For DeSoto County preparedness information, visit desotobocc.com/184/Emergency-Management.

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.