Area Nonprofits Collaborate to Feed Children

Four Sarasota nonprofit organizations are partnering to provide food to children and their families while schools remain closed due to the COVID-19 crisis. Staff teams from Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, Children First and Girls Inc. of Sarasota County are packing hundreds of bags of food provided by All Faiths Food Bank. Each organization is hosting the food distribution at their respective sites. Participation is restricted and proof of club membership is required.

“It will take this kind of collaboration to feed children while schools are closed,” said Sandra Frank, CEO of All Faiths Food Bank. “We are thankful to our partners for this innovative collaboration.”

Families in immediate need can also pick up food at one of the Food Bank’s mobile pantry locations and partner agency distributions. Locations and times can be found at allfaithsfoodbank.org.

 “We’re thrilled to expand our longstanding partnerships with All Faiths Food Bank, Girls Inc. and Children First to provide thousands of our community’s youth and their families with staple grocery items during this unprecedented time,” said Bill Sadlo, President/CEO at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County. “This collaborative effort has enabled us to enhance our virtual programmatic efforts, too. Our Culinary Arts program is designing delicious recipes for those we serve – using the food items included in each of the distribution bags – on our social media platforms including Facebook.com/BGCSC.”

The organizations are seeing great success with this distribution method due to the relationship between their staff and the families. “Once this situation began, our families turned to Girls Inc. for support and we are so thankful to be able to provide them with food during this difficult time.  Without this partnership, many of our girls would not have access to the nutrition they need,” said Angie Stringer, President and CEO of Girls Inc.

“Children First is honored to be a proud partner as we collectively make sure the most vulnerable children and families in our community have food to eat,” said Philip Tavill, CEO of Children First. “Our families, particularly those facing so many challenges during this pandemic crisis, need to be assured of access to nutritious food as they deal with job loss and many other issues. By our joining together, they can count on us.”