During All Faiths Food Bank’s recent 2026 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, the area’s only food bank and largest hunger relief organization recognized the significant contributions of its volunteers in 2025. Last year, 3,200 “Hunger Heroes” contributed more than 59,000 hours to help the food bank in its mission of ending hunger. 

Activities that volunteers assist with include sorting and packing food, distributing at mobile pantries, participating in All Faiths’ nutrition education and cooking classes, helping in the administrative offices, lending a hand at events and more. The luncheon is All Faiths’ way of saying "thank you" to its volunteers for generously contributing their time to support the cause.

The honorees recognized during the 2026 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon were: Debbie Miethke (Sorting Star), Blair McFarlane (Packing Pro), Tuesday Morning Warehouse Group (Team Spirit), Heritage Oaks (BackPack Volunteer and Fundraising Group), Cindy Morris (Mobile Pantry Hero), Bryna Tevlowitz (Mobile Farm Market Hero), Wendy LaChaunce (Shift Captain), Stephen Meuler (Registration Hero), HCA Healthcare (Corporate Volunteer Group), Lakewood Ranch Women’s Golf Association (Community Volunteer Group), Grand Palm (Family Pantry Volunteers), New College MEDLIFE (Event Volunteers of the Year), Pete Herrera (Administrative Volunteer), Bonnie Souther (New Volunteer of the Year), Sangita Madan (Helping Hand), Arlene Hull (All-Around Impact), Temple Emanu-El (Top Fundraiser), Suncoast Enchanted Alliance (Top New Fundraiser) and Liz Boger (Youth Volunteer of the Year).

"I always love coming to this luncheon, because you all represent the thousands of volunteers that make our mission possible in the community," said All Faiths Food Bank’s Board Chair, Patricia Courtois, during her welcome. "You not only give your time – you give your heart. Your passion allows us to achieve great things in this community. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do!" 

"I hope you know that when I intrude on your shifts – in this room, that room, sometimes out in the field, at distributions – that I really, truly mean from the bottom of my heart, ‘Thank you!’" added Nelle S. Miller, president and CEO of All Faiths Food Bank. "We have under 90 staff members, and we reach over 85,000 neighbors in our community – and that number is ever-increasing. We could not do this without you."

As summer approaches and part-time residents leave the state, All Faiths Food Bank is always seeking additional volunteers to ensure the organization is able to serve the community effectively and efficiently. 

From May through September, the organization needs around 800 volunteers to cover approximately 12,000 volunteer hours for its planned outdoor mobile food distributions. To learn more, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org/volunteer.

About All Faiths Food Bank

All Faiths Food Bank is the only food bank and largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties, providing millions of meals each year in collaboration with more than 300 agencies and programs throughout the community. All Faiths works not only to end hunger today, but also strives to end hunger – forever – by helping families and individuals gain long-term food security, enjoy better health outcomes, and achieve self-sufficiency. All Faiths is rated four stars by Charity Navigator and is a partner of the Feeding America and Feeding Florida networks. Visit allfaithsfoodbank.org.