Grants support hunger relief efforts in Sarasota and DeSoto counties

All Faiths Food Bank recently received $140,705 from 10 funders in support of its work to end hunger. Grants received and programs to which funding is designated include: Feeding America, $50,000 (Nov. 2025 government shutdown for SNAP relief); Women in Philanthropy in partnership with Gulf Coast Community Foundation, $25,000 (general operations); Gutenstein Legacy Foundation, $20,000 (school pantries); Heron Creek Community Foundation, $10,000 (BackPack program); Feeding America TJX Foundation, $10,000 (general operations); CVS through All Faiths’ Feeding America partnership, $5,505 (general operations); Ehrhart Family Foundation, $5,200 (Margie’s Market by All Faiths Food Bank); Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch, $5,000 (BackPack program); Venice Golf & Country Club, $5,000 (BackPack program); and Venice Yacht Club, $5,000 (BackPack program).

During the government shutdown in November of 2025, millions felt the financial ramifications. Federal workers and people employed by federal contractors received partial or no paychecks and the funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) lapsed, hurting our neighbors most in need. In the time surrounding the shutdown, nearly 2,000 new households sought services at All Faiths for the very first time. To assist in the crisis, Feeding America supported its affiliate food banks, as they purchased more food to meet the significantly increased demand in their communities.

More than 50% of Sarasota County students and 100% of DeSoto County students rely on free and reduced-cost meals at school. But when school is out, children lose access to this critical nutrition. To help fill the hunger gap, All Faiths’ BackPack program provides snack bags for weekly distribution to students for weekends and during school breaks. During the 2024-2025 school year, approximately 17,643 students received backpacks each week at 43 schools and 27 youth-serving organizations across the region.

All Faiths’ School Pantry program currently operates more than two dozen pantries that distribute fresh produce from local farms as well as dairy, meat and pantry staples to ensure children and their families have access to nutritious food throughout the year. The organization partners with the Sarasota and DeSoto county school districts to offer pantries in local schools and other child-focused organizations – eliminating transportation and scheduling barriers, and putting healthy food directly into the hands of parents and caregivers. In 2025, the School Pantry program reached nearly 17,000 neighbors and distributed more than 1.3 million meals.

“Thanks to the support of these funders, our students will receive healthy foods through the BackPack and School Pantry programs, giving them a better chance to thrive – both in and out of the classroom,” said All Faiths Food Bank’s President and CEO, Nelle S. Miller. “Powered by these recent generous grants, we will continue to lower the barriers to access to nutritious food for our neighbors, resulting in healthier futures for our community.”

To learn more about All Faiths Food Bank, 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.