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All Faiths Food Bank Completes Successful Campaign Against Summer Hunger Kicks Off Summer Food Programs Contact Name: Elodie McCartney Ward Contact Email: emccartney@allfaithsfoodbank.org Contact Phone Number: 9412815866 Sarasota, FL (June 12, 2019) – The 2019 Campaign Against Summer Hunger, which ran for its sixth year from April 1 to May 15, achieved its ambitious goal of raising $1.4 million. Co-Chairs, Tommy Bernstein and Terri Vitale led the Campaign which raises funds and food for the summer programs that feed children in our community during the months of June, July and August. Nearly 36,000 children were fed last year. The programs focus on boys and girls who rely on free and reduced-price meal programs offered at school, and whose families struggle with the added expense when school ends. Coinciding with the last days of school, All Faiths Food Bank kicked off the start of its summer food programs on May 20 which will run until the end of August. Together, with more than 200 partners and programs, the food bank aims to feed 40,000 children. Major partners include the Sarasota County School District Food & Nutrition Services, libraries, early childhood learning centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the School District of DeSoto County Food Service Department. Thanks to a group of investors and the community’s generous support, local students and their younger siblings will have enough to eat during the upcoming months and be ready to start the school year nourished and ready to learn. Summer food programs include: • 118 Backpack sites which distribute bags of nutritious food • 54 meal sites in partnership with Food and Nutrition Services • 43 Mobile Distribution sites distributing fresh produce, meat and groceries • 9 School Pantry Sites providing fresh fruit, meats and groceries • 8 Summer Learning Academy sites where Cooking Matters classes will be held teaching families how to shop for and prepare healthy, low-cost meals Lead investors of the Campaign included Gulf Coast Community Foundation, The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, and The Observer Group, who have helped lead the campaign since its inception. Additional support and grants from organizations were received from Aqua Plumbing and Air, Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc, Designing Women Boutique, Feeding America, Miles Media, The Hershey Company through Feeding America, The Mosaic Company, The Siesta Key Kiwanis Club, The Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation. Although the Campaign has ended, there are still multiple ways the community can get involved. You can sign up to help feed kids at www.allfaithsfoodbank.org. Volunteer opportunities include sorting and packing food for distribution, putting together backpacks with meals and snacks, assisting at school pantries and distributing food. For more information on the Campaign Against Summer Hunger, go to https://www.allfaithsfoodbank.org/campaignagainstsummerhunger/. About All Faiths Food Bank All Faiths Food Bank is the only food bank and largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties. Rated 4-stars by Charity Navigator and a member of Feeding America, we provide millions of meals each year through robust programs and partnerships with charitable organizations in the community. In addition to food distribution, All Faiths Food Bank operates a roster of innovative direct service programs that not only solve the immediate problem of hunger but strive to end hunger by helping families and individuals gain long-term food security, better health outcomes and self-sufficiency. For more information visit allfaithsfoodbank.org. ###