Community Generosity Sparks $100,000 Gift to Season of Sharing From The Patterson Foundation

In recognition of the first $500,000 raised by the community for Season of Sharing, The Patterson Foundation has contributed $100,000 to the region’s annual campaign to help people on the verge of homelessness. To catalyze additional giving, The Patterson Foundation will make additional $100,000 contributions each time the community raises $500,000 between now and Jan. 31, 2020. There is no cap on the number of $100,000 contributions the community can activate during the campaign.

For every dollar spent on helping someone remain in their home, it costs $8 to get them back into one, and studies continually show that the most effective way to prevent homelessness is to stop it before it happens. The Herald-Tribune Media Group and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County created Season of Sharing to help individuals and families cover expenses that can jeopardize a person’s ability to retain their home, from everyday expenses like rent, child care and utility payments to emergency expenses like unexpected medical bills. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Season of Sharing has raised more than $21 million for those in need through the annual campaign and has helped more than 35,000 individuals and families in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties remain safely in their homes.

“For 20 years, Season of Sharing has exemplified the philanthropic heartbeat of our region,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “Having a place to call home is essential to our individual well-being, and Season of Sharing helps individuals maintain a sense of comfort and dignity amid life’s uncertainties that can impact us all. The Patterson Foundation is proud to be a catalyst in this community-strengthening effort and is continuously inspired in how we come together to make a difference in the lives of those we don’t even know.”

The Patterson Foundation has been a longtime supporter of Season of Sharing, contributing $4.3 million since 2010. Beyond The Patterson Foundation’s support, a collective donation of time, resources and expertise by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, media partners and more than 60 organizations ensures that every dollar raised through Season of Sharing is distributed directly to people on the verge of homelessness.

Of the individuals and families that receive support through Season of Sharing, 85 percent do not require additional assistance the following year — solidifying Season of Sharing’s effectiveness in achieving long-term housing stability for people in our region.

Visit www.CFSarasota.org to donate and learn more about Season of Sharing, and follow the conversation on social media using #SeasonOfSharing.