All Faiths Food Bank has received $70,300 from four funders to expand its fight against childhood hunger across Sarasota and DeSoto counties. The MMDP Foundation Fund contributed $50,000, the Wawa Foundation gave $10,000, Fifth Third Bank added $5,300, and Saint Boniface Episcopal Church rounded it out with $5,000. The money supports the BackPack program, the Campaign Against Summer Hunger, and the School & Family Pantry program.
The need is clear. About 43% of students in Sarasota County and 100% of students in DeSoto County rely on free and reduced-price school meals. When school lets out for summer, those meals disappear, and families have to find another way. That’s where All Faiths steps in, reaching nearly 24,000 children through its summer hunger efforts.
The School & Family Pantry model is especially practical. Instead of requiring families to travel to a distribution site, it brings fresh produce, dairy, meat, and staples directly to schools and child-focused locations, removing transportation as a barrier. Nelle S. Miller, president and CEO of All Faiths Food Bank, said grants like these help expand the safety net so more children can get the nutrition they need to be healthy and succeed in school.
Want to help or need help? Visit allfaithsfoodbank.org or call 941-379-6333. How do you think our community can do more to support local kids facing hunger?
