All Faiths Food Bank Sees Increased Need Amid Declining Donations

November 5, 2024 | Sarasota

After back-to-back hurricanes devastated the region – displacing families and leaving many in need of emergency assistance – All Faiths Food Bank (AFFB) is facing growing demand, coupled with a steep decline in donations. Additionally, amid the cancellation of a major fundraising event, the organization is urgently seeking donations to help with the purchase of turkey dinners and holiday meals as part of its annual ThankFULL Tummies and Hearts campaign.

In addition to nearly 700 monthly food distributions throughout the year, All Faiths Food Bank has worked to provide food for people in need during the holiday season since 1989. This year, the organization set a goal of sharing more than 13,000 turkeys and 3.6 million holiday meals, but the recent hurricanes have put those numbers at risk.

Due to the impacts of Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, the primary fundraiser supporting the ThankFULL campaign, “Friends FULL of Giving” – originally set to take place Nov. 15 – has been canceled, leaving the organization down nearly $150,000 in special funding for holiday turkeys and sides. Without those monetary gifts, neighbors who have already lost so much may now be faced with empty plates this holiday season.

As one of the lead disaster response organizations in the region, AFFB has increased its number of food distributions since Hurricane Debby hit in August – hosting seven additional disaster relief pop-ups and delivering emergency food and water to local evacuation shelters. Following Hurricane Milton, during the month of October alone, AFFB provided nearly 90,000 emergency meals to more than 1,700 new households at those pop-up sites.

“With the disruption of fundraising events and our additional disaster relief activities necessary to assist residents impacted by the recent storms, we are asking the community to help support our ThankFULL campaign so that all in our community can enjoy a festive holiday celebration, complete with a healthy, delicious meal,” said AFFB’s President and CEO Nelle S. Miller. “Each year, nearly 200,000 people in our community need food; this year’s unprecedented hurricane season has only served to exacerbate the hunger crisis. The holidays offer the perfect opportunity to come together and showcase the true spirit of the season – we invite all who are able to contribute to the ThankFULL campaign this year.”

Hurricane damage to AFFB’s longtime community partner, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, has also forced the nonprofit to relocate one of its biggest turkey distributions to Booker Middle School.

Turkey distributions for Sarasota residents will be held at the following locations and times: Booker Middle School (2250 Myrtle St., Sarasota) on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 9 a.m.; and Ed Smith Stadium (2700 12th St., Sarasota) on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 4 p.m. All distributions are first-come, first-served and while supplies last.

Through Thanksgiving, additional turkey distributions will take place at several of AFFB’s mobile pantry sites as well as through numerous partner agency locations – including closed sites, such as school pantries and youth-serving nonprofits. Proof of Sarasota or DeSoto County residency is required. For more information about turkey distributions, visit the “Food Finder” page at allfaithsfoodbank.org.

The funds for the turkey distributions and holiday meals are raised through generous individual, foundation and corporate gifts to the ThankFULL campaign, and through the support of the Kathleen K. Catlin Foundation of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which has supported the effort generously for 10 years.

To donate to the ThankFULL Tummies and Hearts campaign or find food near you, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org.