All Faiths Food Bank Presents Inaugural Friends FULL of Giving 

November 29, 2023 – Sarasota

In November, All Faiths Food Bank presented its inaugural “Friends FULL of Giving” fundraiser, an evening of friends, food and fun with a serious purpose: to provide turkeys and holiday meals for our neighbors who are struggling with hunger. There were 145 guests in attendance; the event raised $276,000 in support of All Faiths’ ThankFULL campaign.

Held on a beautiful property – donated for use by All Faiths by supporter Terry Dickson – on Casey Key, the evening featured delicious food catered by Innovative Dining, music provided by roving saxophone player David Turner who also served as DJ and kept guests dancing well into the night, and an exciting live auction featuring items such as an exclusive tour and sunset yacht cruise, a VIP Sarasota Polo tailgate experience, dinner for eight prepared and served in one’s home, and an ultimate wine country tasting experience in California.

Event chair Lisa Napolitano and committee member Dawn Doughty were thrilled with the evening’s success, as ardent supporters as well as new friends to the cause gathered together. 

“Friends FULL of Giving holds a special place in my heart, as it gives us an opportunity to give back to our community and brighten the lives of those who may be facing hard times,” said Napolitano. “I am so grateful to see a vision realized where friends come together and truly make a meaningful impact.”

The immense challenges of the past few years – runaway costs of essentials such as rent, food and gas, Covid and hurricanes – have hit those who were already struggling hard, especially children, families and seniors on fixed incomes, while new families have learned what it’s like to experience hunger.

Since its founding in 1989, All Faiths Food Bank has provided food during the holidays, steadily expanding its efforts through the ThankFULL campaign. Funds from this year’s campaign have enabled All Faiths to distribute more than 13,000 turkeys and sides ahead of Thanksgiving, and will result in the gratifying total of 3.6 million holiday meals so that all can have a joyous holiday season.

“Unfortunately, hunger doesn’t take a break during the holidays and many families feel the added pressure – and expense – of trying to provide seasonal meals and gifts,” said All Faiths Food Bank’s CEO Sandra Frank. “The ‘season of giving’ is the perfect time for our community to come together and make sure that everyone can share the joy of a delicious holiday meal. We are grateful to all who worked on making this new event a reality as well as the guests who gave generously to help our neighbors in need.”

Gratitude Sponsors were Dennis and Dawn Doughty, and Lisa Napolitano and Stephen Holten; Gathering Sponsors were Greg and Lori McMillan; and Harvest Sponsors were Constance David, Alex and Christina Dell, Florida Blue, and Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

For more about All Faiths Food Bank, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org.