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JFCS of the Suncoast Distributed 200 Thanksgiving Meal Kits and Helped Host Luncheon for the Homeless Contact Name: Melanie Hayes Contact Email: mhayes@jfcs-cares.org Contact Phone Number: 9415296853 SARASOTA, FL – (November 24, 2021) JFCS of the Suncoast distributed 200 turkey meal kits during two recent events to help local families in need enjoy their Thanksgiving holiday, and on Nov. 24 participated in a Thanksgiving luncheon for the homeless. During the first event on Nov. 18, JFCS handed out 100 free turkey meal kits to local families, which included a 10-14-pound frozen turkey, plus sides to complete a traditional holiday meal, including green beans, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. When JFCS client Patricia Lopez drove up to pick up her turkey meal kit, she jumped out of her car and rushed over to a JFCS caseworker. They hugged each other tightly and cried. The caseworker, Marina Felipe, had helped Lopez get that car donated to her after her old vehicle, which belonged to her ex-husband, broke down. As a single mom who left an abusive relationship, she struggled to get to and from work to support her family and couldn’t make ends meet. Lopez had just received the car the day before the Thanksgiving meal event, and was so proud to drive over to JFCS. “It’s been one blessing after another. I’m overwhelmed,” an emotional Lopez said. “I cannot believe I’m driving my own car here, and now I get my whole Thanksgiving meal too. It’s so helpful. I live paycheck to paycheck, so any help is priceless.” The meals, courtesy of All Faiths Food Bank, were offered to JFCS clients who participate in a variety of our programs. “It’s really expensive to buy all this food, and it can be hard to find turkeys,” said Erica Pramudyasworo, a Sarasota mom who participates in a JFCS parenting and relationship class and received a meal kit. “This is really helpful for us for Thanksgiving. It’s amazing that they do this for the community.” Cassidy Reddinger, the JFCS case manager for the IGNITE Fatherhood Program and the turkey distribution event organizer, said seven JFCS employees and six volunteers from Compass Marine Services greeted participants and helped hand out the food during the drive-through event. “This is very rewarding. It makes me picture them at their table eating with their families, and I feel like I’m part of that,” Reddinger said. On Nov. 22, JFCS handed out an additional 100 Thanksgiving meal kits to UnidosNow guests and Newtown community residents. Tanner’s Turkeys, a local non-profit that has been delivering Thanksgiving meals for 11 years, donated the food. Additionally, Tony Robbins, the bestselling author and life and business strategist, donated boxes of his motivational DVD sets to Tanner’s Turkeys to be given out to turkey meal recipients, including those participating through JFCS. On Nov. 24, JFCS was honored to contribute and participate in the 21st Annual Thanksgiving Wednesday Luncheon for the homeless at St. Martha Catholic Church. Every year, about 100 homeless people attend the luncheon, and several hundred volunteers, including staff and volunteers from JFCS, prepare and serve the food, set up and clean up, and sit with the guests to enjoy the holiday meal and partake in fellowship. The luncheon was sponsored by the Sarasota Ministerial Association and food was provided by Yoder's Restaurant and Der Dutchman Restaurant. “This is wonderful,” said Mathew Pendergast, a guest at the luncheon who has been homeless on and off for the past year. “All different aspects of the community come together to help. I came to get help. I’m trying not to be homeless. I’d rather be a part of the solution.” About JFCS: Celebrating its 35th year as one of the Florida Suncoast’s leading mental health and human services agencies, JFCS offers programs that support youth, families, seniors and veterans. Inspired by the Jewish tradition of helping all people, services are delivered on a non-denominational basis and with the goal of empowering individuals and families toward self-sufficiency and stability. JFCS of the Suncoast believes all people are to be treated with dignity and respect and have equal opportunity to physical well-being, self-expression and joy. For more information, visit https://JFCS-Cares.org/ or call (941) 366-2224.