Sarasota YMCA provides Thanksgiving meals to families in need

On November 17, the Sarasota Family YMCA distributed more than 600 full Thanksgiving meals to families in need at the Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Branch of the Sarasota YMCA. The recipient families are currently being served through Y programs such as the YMCA Achievers, Operation Graduation, Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), Safe Children Coalition, Schoolhouse Link, and programs of other partnering agencies who serve low-income families.

This was the 15th year that YMCA volunteers have given out Thanksgiving meals to those in need, thanks to generous community donations. Families enjoy a turkey large enough for a family of eight, vegetables, sides and pie. The meals are provided by Publix, which offered a discounted cost of $49 per box in support of the effort. Last year, 530 area families enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast thanks to the Y turkey drive; over the past 15 years, the Y has given out more than 4,000 Thanksgiving meals to families in need.

Special thank-yous are in order for YMCA Board member Dan Dannheisser, for again spearheading the fundraising campaign and personally funding numerous meals, and to the Y Achievers students and youth from the Y Youth Shelter, who distributed the dinners to the families in need. The Y is also grateful to Construction Supply of Southwest Florida for providing trucks to transport the turkey dinners.

According to FeedingAmerica.org, 40 million Americans struggle with hunger in the U.S. today. One in six people in the U.S. face hunger, including 12 million children. Distributing Thanksgiving meals is just one of the ways the Y provides crucial support for families in need.

“This time of year can be devastating for those who can’t afford the beautiful Thanksgiving meal that many of us might take for granted," said Sarasota YMCA VP of Youth and Family Services, Sonia Santiago. "We are very thankful for partners like Paderewski and Dannheisser Law, Construction Supply of Southwest Florida, and our many generous individual donors for helping us give back in such a meaningful way."

For more about the YMCA, go to www.sarasotaymca.org or call (941) 951-2916.

PHOTO IDs:
Sarasota YMCA board member and turkey giveaway supporter Dan Dannheisser (center) with youth volunteers Cortnei Allen and Matt Kowalczyk

Sisters Ayana (left) and Alexis Miller volunteered to distribute food during the Sarasota YMCA turkey giveaway

Youth volunteer Moenasia Beall grabs a turkey meal to carry to someone's car (Sebastian Kowalczyk is in the background)

About the Sarasota YMCA
The Sarasota YMCA is committed to strengthening the community: through youth development by nurturing the potential of every child and teen, through healthy living by improving the community’s health and well-being, and through social responsibility by giving back and providing support to our neighbors.