Multiple funders support hunger relief efforts in Sarasota and DeSoto counties

All Faiths Food Bank recently received $75,000 from eight funders in support of its work to end hunger. Grants received and programs to which funding is designated include: Bank of America Charitable Foundation, $15,000 (Mobile Pantry program); Masala Giving Circle, $10,000 (Margie’s Market by All Faiths Food Bank); and Isermann Family Foundation, $20,000, First Horizon Foundation, $10,000, The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle, $5,000, Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch, $5,000, Suncoast Credit Union, $5,000, and Venice Golf and Country Club, $5,000 (BackPack program).

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 on weekends and during school breaks. All Faiths works with numerous partners to distribute BackPacks at local sites such as libraries, summer camps, early learning centers and other youth-serving organizations.

All Faiths’ Mobile Pantry program helps to strengthen food security, providing thousands of neighbors in our community with reliable, nutritious meals. In 2025, the food bank held or supplied food for 870 food distributions each month, providing nearly 19 million meals to over 83,000 neighbors. Additionally, a twice-monthly Veterans Pantry is offered at Church of the Palms in Sarasota, helping hundreds of veterans each month.

Margie’s Market by All Faiths Food Bank opened in March 2026. This choice market – designed with community input – provides a dignified shopping experience, benefits assistance, case management and additional resources in the heart of Newtown to reduce transportation barriers and create a culturally responsive hub for neighbors. The first year of operations has been generously funded by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation; additional fundraising is ongoing to support the multi-year project.

“Thanks to the support of these funders, children in our BackPack program will have healthy food for the weekends, families facing hunger can find nutritious food at our mobile pantries, and neighbors in Newtown have access to fresh, healthy options close to home,” said All Faiths Food Bank President and CEO Nelle S. Miller. “These generous grants help us remove barriers to food access and ensure more people can get the nutritious food they need to thrive.”

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.