All Faiths Food Bank’s Autumn Harvest Campaign Bolstered by Match

September 23 – Sarasota

For most of us, the fall season conjures images of a bountiful harvest – from apples and squash to sweet potatoes and pears. But for thousands of our neighbors, nutritious, healthy foods are simply out of reach. 

As it has since 2018, All Faiths Food Bank is running its Autumn Harvest Campaign, which raises funds for programs that provide fresh fruits and vegetables to those in Sarasota and DeSoto counties who are struggling with hunger. The Rakay Family Foundation has offered up $100,000 in matching funds to bolster the effort; all gifts through the end of September are being matched.

Since 2006, the Rakay Family Foundation has aided local and national organizations working to improve their communities. The foundation has supported the Food Bank with matching gifts in the past; this is its second matching gift of $100,000 to benefit Autumn Harvest.

Not only are contributions being doubled through the match, All Faiths will continue to maximize resources through its “food rescue” operations, where unsold produce from local farmers and grocery stores is collected, stored in the organization’s warehouse, and then distributed through partner agencies and programs, including mobile pantries.

A total of $436,117.80 was contributed to All Faiths in 2021 for the Autumn Harvest Campaign. Last year, All Faiths Food Bank distributed 5.9 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables – more than 31% of its overall food distribution total – to people experiencing hunger. 

“Regardless of economic status, everyone deserves access to healthy foods. And healthy eating benefits the entire community, as our neighbors enjoy improved health outcomes,” said All Faiths Food Bank CEO Sandra Frank. “We are so grateful to the Rakay Family Foundation for this tremendous gift in support of our Autumn Harvest Campaign, and hope the community will be inspired to participate as well.”

As part of the campaign, All Faiths is hosting the third annual Autumn Harvest Dinner on September 30 in its Sarasota warehouse. The long-table dinner sold out weeks in advance.

Community members are asked to consider making a gift to the Autumn Harvest Campaign and supporting All Faiths Food Bank’s efforts to distribute fresh produce to families, children seniors and veterans in need. For more information, contact Denise Cotler at dcotler@allfaithsfoodbank.org or 941-315-7671, or visit allfaithsfoodbank.org.