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Help Us in the Fight Against Food Insecurity
The Food and Hunger Group
In 2023, the Food and Hunger Group – an umbrella group under Peace and Justice auspices – was formed to provide oversight and coordinate efforts relating to issues of hunger and food insecurity.
%
Overall Food Insecurity Rate in Sarasota County
pounds of food for all faiths food bank collected and distributed in 12 months. Thank you!
Letters written to support the farm bill. thank you!
Our Mission
Empowering our community through compassionate action, our Food and Hunger Group strives to alleviate food insecurity by fostering partnerships, advocating for those in need, and providing essential resources to ensure no one goes hungry.
Understanding Food Insecurity
According to the United Way’s latest ALICE* report, approximately 40% of households in the greater Tampa Bay area, including Sarasota, face financial hardship and struggle to afford essentials such as housing, childcare, food, healthcare, and transportation. Statewide, nearly half of Florida households meet the ALICE threshold, highlighting the ongoing need for community support.
Food insecurity disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, people of color, and veterans. In Sarasota County, recent data from All Faiths Food Bank and Feeding Florida indicate that food insecurity affects approximately 24% of Black residents and 14% of Latino residents, compared to 9% of white residents. Across the county, 11.8% of residents experience food insecurity, with a higher rate of 15.7% among children, underscoring the particular challenges faced by younger community members.
(Meal Gap Map) (All Faiths Food Bank) (Feeding Florida)
Feeding Our Community and Beyond, One Meal at a Time
Every meal matters. With each donation and volunteer effort, we’re making a difference, one meal at a time. Join us in fighting hunger in our community and beyond through the simple act of giving.
*ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained Employed, refers to individuals and families who are employed but still face financial challenges due to factors like childcare expenses, transportation barriers, and the high cost of living. These individuals are living paycheck to paycheck, making it difficult to meet their everyday needs.
19,171 Meals a Day Are Needed in Sarasota County
Feeding America’s most recent “Map the Meal Gap” data indicates that Sarasota County needs approximately 19,171 meals per day to meet the needs of those experiencing food insecurity. Current estimates also show that nearly 35% of households in the county face financial challenges that prevent them from reliably meeting basic living expenses like food, housing, and healthcare.
See latest Sarasota county statistics on FeedAmerica.org.
Our Partners
Since its founding 50 years ago, Bread for the World has driven significant progress against hunger. Through nonpartisan advocacy, Bread has championed essential nutrition programs, impacting hunger both in the U.S. and globally. Our church is proud to be a Bread for the World Covenant Church for many reasons:
1. Bread for the World has been a key advocate for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), ensuring it remains available in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recessions.
2. Bread’s work to expand the Child Tax Credit during the pandemic led to a nearly 45% reduction in childhood poverty in the United States.
3. Bread played a major role in crafting and passing the bipartisan Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act of 2022, enhancing the effectiveness of U.S. global nutrition initiatives.
For more on Bread for the World’s fight against hunger and poverty, visit their impact page.
All Faiths Food Bank is Sarasota’s largest hunger-relief organization, in the fight against hunger. On the first Sunday of each month, we collect food donations, making a tangible impact in our community by providing nutritious food to those in need. Over the last year, our congregation has donated and distributed an incredible 1.25 tons of food, helping to alleviate food insecurity for countless families.
All Faiths Food Bank serves Sarasota and DeSoto counties, supporting individuals and families through initiatives that address the root causes of hunger and offer sustained relief. With our contributions and their outreach, we are making a difference, one meal at a time.
To learn more about All Faiths Food Bank and their vital programs, please visit their website.
Second Chance Last Opportunity (SCLO) is a grassroots organization in Sarasota that provides life skills training, empowerment programs, and critical support services for individuals and families in need. SCLO serves as a vital resource for those facing hardship, offering guidance, tools, and a second chance to build sustainable, fulfilling lives.
Through our partnership, we help SCLO in their mission to transform lives by offering not only immediate assistance but also the education and skills needed for long-term self-sufficiency. Together, we aim to uplift our community and bring hope to those seeking a new beginning.
To learn more about Second Chance Last Opportunity and their transformative programs, please visit their website.
Our church is dedicated to serving those in need of nourishment and companionship through our monthly community meal at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sarasota. Each month, we gather to provide a warm, nutritious meal and foster a welcoming space for individuals who are hungry or simply in need of fellowship. This meal is not only about feeding the body but also about creating a sense of belonging and support within our community.
All are welcome to join us in this act of care and connection, as we work together to make a difference, one meal at a time.
Family Promise of Sarasota-Manatee is a local organization dedicated to helping families facing homelessness achieve stability and independence. Through housing assistance, career services, and educational programs, Family Promise empowers parents and children to overcome hardship and create a secure future. By supporting this compassionate mission, we join with others in providing hope, resources, and encouragement to families in our community.
To learn more about Family Promise of Sarasota-Manatee and how they’re making a lasting impact, please visit their website.
How You Can Help
Food Collection
The first Sunday of each month is the collection of non-perishable foods for All Faiths Food Bank. In just the first seven months, we collected 1590 lbs. of food. Thank you!
What to Donate: Any items in jars and/or cans along with items that have a long shelf life like pasta, pudding, Jello etc., are appreciated. The old standby items of peanut butter, jelly and spaghetti sauce are also needed.
Where to Donate: There will be a basket in the narthex labeled ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK. Please place your items in the basket or next to it if the basket is full. Thank you for your generosity in these times of increased food insecurity.
Donation Drives: Participate in our fundraisers and seasonal food drives where we focus on collecting specific items to meet immediate needs. Check the Midweek Message or contact Ellen Marsey for up-to-date information.
Volunteer
SCLO: Our church proudly supports Second Chance-Last Opportunity (SCLO), a grassroots organization committed to empowering at-risk teens and their families since 1995. SCLO needs volunteers every Monday and Thursday, 11:00am, to help with food sorting and distribution. Contact Lucy Hedrick.
Community Meal: The monthly community meal that we continue to provide at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church feeds those who are hungry and in need of fellowship. Please volunteer to prepare a dessert or to help prepare our take-out meals while renovations are ongoing at St. Paul’s. Contact Carol Hagglund.
Donate
Nearly half of the students enrolled in Sarasota County schools participate in free and reduced-price meal programs. In DeSoto County, that number is 100%.
But when school ends, hunger begins. If you would like to help feed children, please consider making a donation to one of our partner charities. Your donation can make a real difference in a child’s life this summer. Act now to ensure no child goes hungry.
SCLO and All Faiths Food Bank: To participate in the Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust matching program for local charities, visit https://flanzertrust.org and click on “Make a Donation” where you can choose the charity. Both SCLO and All Faiths Food Bank are listed.
Food and clothing donations for SCLO should be brought to 1933 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Call first: 941-360-8660.
Family Promise: We are proud to support Family Promise of Sarasota-Manatee, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safe housing for families facing homelessness. Through food drives and other efforts, we stand together with Family Promise to offer crucial support to those in need. To donate to Family Promise of Sarasota-Manatee, visit https://www.familypromisesarasota-manatee.org/donate/. Contact Ellen Marsey.
Bread for the World: To donate to Bread for the World, go to https://bread.org.
Advocate
Many thanks to all of you for participating in this year’s Bread for the World Offering of Letters. We wrote 73 letters to Congressmen Greg Steube and Vern Buchanan, urging them to support reauthorization of the Farm Bill. Our goal was 70 letters for the Church’s 70th anniversary, and we beat it!
Bread for the World: Bread for the World is a collective Christian advocacy organization that urges national and global leaders to end hunger through policy changes. By empowering individuals and churches to advocate for hunger-related issues, Bread for the World seeks to influence public policies that can improve the lives of people struggling with hunger and poverty. Members receive resources and updates on how to effectively engage in this vital work.
We strongly encourage everyone to become individual members of Bread for the World by making a donation. Members receive newsletters and notifications about advocacy opportunities from Florence French. Additionally, you can join the church’s Peace and Justice network to receive notices about various advocacy initiatives. For more information on Bread for the World and how to join, please contact Ellen Marsey or Mike Keane.
Make A Real Change In Someone’s Life
Watch a video showing how All Faiths Food Bank is helping to stop hunger.
Events
All Faiths Food Bank
Community Meal
Special Events
From time to time, there are special food drives or events that will be listed here.
Donate Today or Get Involved