All Faiths Food Bank provides free summer meals for children

For thousands of local school children, the final bell of the school year signals the end of reliable daily nutrition. Approximately 43% of Sarasota County students (more than 19,000) and 100% of DeSoto County students (nearly 4,300) are eligible for free and reduced-cost meals at school – so, when school ends, hunger begins.

All Faiths Food Bank’s Campaign Against Summer Hunger supports efforts to provide food for area children throughout the summer months. This year, All Faiths is once again partnering with the Sarasota and DeSoto County school districts, along with hundreds of community partners, to provide free, nutritious food to children all summer long.

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The effort is bolstered by the federally funded Summer BreakSpot program, run by Sarasota and DeSoto County Schools’ Food and Nutrition Services departments. Summer BreakSpot reimburses participating organizations for meals through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Summer Food Service Program. At many locations, All Faiths provides additional food resources and operates on-site pantries.

“We’re hearing from our team members who work on the front lines many stories of working families hit hard by the current economic conditions, with rising costs for gas, rent, childcare and healthcare. Now add to that the cost of providing 10 extra meals per week, per child, throughout the summer; hardworking parents are overwhelmed trying to figure out how to make ends meet,” said Nelle S. Miller, president and CEO of All Faiths Food Bank. "We are fortunate to have dedicated partners and a generous community that responds when our neighbors need help – thanks to their compassion and commitment, thousands of kids will have the food they need to thrive while school is out."

An additional challenge this summer is growing from the public school funding crisis: due to program cuts, the Sarasota County School District is expected to serve up to 17,000 fewer meals this summer.

There are nearly 40 sites where food will be available throughout the summer; please visit the Summer Food Sites page on All Faiths Food Bank’s website for a listing of those locations.

In 2025, the Campaign raised $2 million. With the support of 122 investors and 2,472 community donors, thousands of local children received nutritious meals. Since 2014, donors have contributed nearly $21 million to the Campaign.

This year, there was a $1 million challenge match to help inspire giving to the Campaign through May 15. All Faiths is thankful for lead investors Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and Gulf Coast Community Foundation for continuing to help fund the match since its inception, as well as the hundreds of community partners – including schools, libraries, early learning centers, summer camps, community centers and numerous other organizations throughout Sarasota and DeSoto counties – that help the organization reach children facing hunger.

More information about Sarasota County Schools’ summer meal resources can be found at sarsotacountyschools.net or by calling 941-486-2199.

To find the nearest summer food distributions for your child, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org/summer-food-sites/. To help children and families experiencing hunger, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org or call 941-379-6333.

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.