Disaster Relief Capacity Boosted, Celebrated During Ribbon-Cutting

May 22, 2024 | Sarasota

As hurricane season makes its inexorable approach, All Faiths Food Bank (AFFB) has received significant support from the American Red Cross (ARC) designated toward the purchase of equipment that will improve AFFB’s ability to respond during a disaster, increase critical capacity, and pursue its mission of providing healthy solutions to end hunger. These funds were allocated through the ARC Community Adaptation Program.

To celebrate the occasion, leaders from both organizations came together at AFFB’s warehouse on May 21 to celebrate and hold a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the new equipment. There were about 30 in attendance, including leaders from both organizations, and AFFB board and operations team members.

The ARC Community Adaptation Program operates in targeted areas that face both a high risk for extreme weather and high levels of social vulnerability. In Sarasota County, the ARC is working to enhance the capacity of local nonprofit organizations to help increase community resilience and lessen the impact of disaster-caused displacement on the most vulnerable.

As the only food bank and largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota County, AFFB is a critical partner in emergency response and recovery efforts, and participates with the local Emergency Operations Command, Sarasota Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). AFFB is active in disaster response and recovery at the state level with Feeding Florida which – in partnership with the Division of Emergency Management – can assist the State Emergency Response Team to provide food to all 67 counties in Florida. As part of the Feeding America network, AFFB accesses significant national food sources and logistical support during a crisis.

An assessment of disaster activities in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian (2022) concluded that additional freezer/refrigeration was needed to strengthen disaster recovery efforts and increase capacity. AFFB’s most significant, immediate needs were freezer and cooler capacity. AFFB also requested additional material handling equipment to support the safe and timely transport of food within its warehouse, from receiving to shipping.  

“As we have learned all too well the past couple of years, with Hurricanes Ian and Idalia causing impacts that are still being felt today, the needs following any natural disaster can only be met through intensive collaboration and having the appropriate infrastructure to respond quickly and efficiently,” said AFFB’s president and CEO, Nelle S. Miller. “The American Red Cross is an essential organization for the victims of disasters and has long been a crucial resource in our communities. We are so grateful for the ARC’s support, which will enable us to store and distribute more fresh food, improve our inventory management, move materials more smoothly throughout the supply chain, and better respond to our neighbors’ needs.”

To learn more about All Faiths Food Bank’s disaster relief operations, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org/hurricane-and-disaster-relief or call 941-379-6333.