Publix Grants to Support All Faiths Food Bank’s Food Distribution Efforts

January 10, 2024 – Sarasota

Showcasing its commitment to alleviating hunger, Publix Super Markets Charities recently awarded two grants of $135,000, totaling $270,000, to All Faiths Food Bank (AFFB). The first grant will support All Faiths’ Mobile Pantry program, which provides fresh produce, meat and groceries at 30 food distributions in high-need areas in Sarasota and DeSoto counties. The second grant will support the purchase of a refrigerated box truck to transport food.

Through the Mobile Pantry program – which includes Mobile Farm Markets – truckloads of food are delivered and distributed to neighbors in need to help supplement their nutritional resources. AFFB operates 28 Mobile Food Pantries in areas of high need in Sarasota and DeSoto counties, with an average of 35 distributions monthly. Seven of the pantries are Mobile Farm Markets, which exclusively distribute fresh fruit and vegetables. AFFB Mobile Food Pantries can serve as many as 300 households in approximately two hours, making it one of the most effective and efficient food distribution programs for the organization.

To transport food throughout the region, All Faiths currently has a fleet of more than 25 vehicles – box trucks, tractors and trailers – which travel nearly 200,000 miles a year. The new box truck funded through the Publix grant will arrive this month (January).

This grant brought the total financial donations from Publix Super Markets Charities to All Faiths Food Bank to $1,335, 840 since its first gift in 1997. This amount does not include significant donations of food from Publix Super Markets to the food bank.

“The level of support we have enjoyed from Publix Super Markets Charities since our very first gift 26 years ago is truly astounding,” said Denise Cotler, chief development officer of All Faiths Food Bank. “We are so grateful not only for the financial support and the food they provide, but also Publix’s commitment to helping our neighbors in need. We are proud they have chosen to invest in our work and our community.”

All Faiths has also worked to build relationships with Florida food producers to strengthen its supply chain and reduce the distance between farm and table. Such efforts are a win-win: serving to bolster revenue opportunities for food producers, while also helping our neighbors to enjoy a greater variety of fresh, healthy foods.

To learn more about All Faiths or to find a schedule of food distributions, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org or call 941.379.6333.