Every day, thousands of children and their families may not know where their next meal will come from.
In the heart of this struggle stands a beacon of hope: All Faiths Food Bank. Since its inception in 1989, the organization has tirelessly served Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, becoming the largest hunger relief organization and the sole food bank in the area.
The need is enormous. For example, from January to June, All Faiths distributed 2,607,956 pounds of food in South County, which is Laurel, Nokomis, Venice, North Port and Englewood. This equals 2,173,297 meals. “We served over 5,000 households that visited our pantries multiple times during this period,” says MJ Horan, MS, MPH, Chief Program Officer at All Faiths Food Bank.
Founded by a community of individuals who were dedicated to feeding the hungry, All Faiths Food Bank joined the prestigious Feeding America network in 1990. This affiliation underscores its commitment, not just to feed, but to holistically address the issues that accompany hunger, like housing, employment, and healthcare.
Its tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed. Feeding America recognized All Faiths as one of the top four food banks of 2019 for its local community-building and innovative methodologies.
Using data-driven strategies, the food bank ensures the maximum efficient allocation of resources, aligning with its broader vision of ending hunger. To that end, recent initiatives include school nutrition programs and nutritional education, a program to identify food insecurity in the community, and on-site Case Management.
The organization aims to break the cycle of hunger by empowering individuals with knowledge and resources to improve their overall well-being.
All Faiths also focuses on childhood hunger, health, benefits assistance, and rural hunger, continually adapting to meet the evolving needs of the community.
In conclusion, All Faiths Food Bank isn't just about food; it's about hope, empowerment, and community-building. Its unwavering dedication and commitment have significantly impacted Sarasota and DeSoto counties, ensuring that no family remains uncertain about their next meal.
WHERE TO GO
Picking up at All Faith’s Food Pantry locations (listed below) is easy. Families and individuals can pre-register, but “they can also just show up,” says MK. “Our team members are ready to assist with registration,” she adds.
The following locations are for the Venice/Nokomis/Laurel area. Learn more at allfaithsfoodbank.org/foodfinder
The School & Family Pantry Program and the Mobile Pantry Program both provide fresh produce, meats and groceries to families. Locations: Trinity Presbyterian Church, Good Shepherd Church, Venice Middle School, Taylor Ranch Elementary School, and Nokomis Park.
Partner Agencies that provide food distribution for The School & Family Pantry Program include Loveland Center, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Salvation Army Venice, South County Food Pantry, Senior Friendship Center, The Center of Hope of South County, Laurel Civic, and Villa San Marcos
The BackPack Program provides bags of kid-friendly, healthy food for students to take home to eat over the weekends and during holidays. Locations are Garden Elementary School, Taylor Ranch Elementary School, Venice Elementary School, Student Leadership Academy, and Laurel Nokomis School
In addition:
· The Garden Elementary School Pantry (at Lift Church) provides space for the School and Family Pantry Program.
· Food Insecurity Screening for Food Insecurity Programs are at SMH Venice – Rx Location
· Access SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Access Program) is at Center of Hope, Venice
· The Nutrition Education Program is available in Venice at Villa San Marcos Senior Living and Our Mothers House.
For more information All Faiths Food Bank’s programs, or to volunteer, donate and much more, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org.
All Faiths Food Bank aims to break the cycle of hunger by empowering individuals with knowledge and resources to improve their overall well-being.