All Faiths Food Bank recently received $147,577 from seven funders in support of its work to end hunger. Grants received and programs to which funding is designated include: Feeding America – Paychex, $10,000, general operations; Bank of America Charitable Foundation, $10,000, Mobile Pantry program; Isermann Foundation, $20,000, BackPack program; Dr. Samir M. Shafie Charitable Foundation, $30,000, Veterans’ Pantry; Sisterhood for Good, $5,000, BackPack program; and The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle, $3,000, BackPack program. Additionally, Heritage Oaks donated $69,577 in support of All Faiths’ BackPack program and hurricane relief.

More than 50% of Sarasota County students and 100% of DeSoto County students rely on free and reduced-cost meals at school. But when school is out, children lose access to this critical nutrition. To help fill the hunger gap, All Faiths’ BackPack program – the organization’s first child hunger-focused initiative, launched more than 16 years ago – provides snack bags for weekly distribution to students for weekends and during school breaks. During the 2024-2025 school year, approximately 17,643 students received backpacks each week at 43 schools and 27 youth-serving organizations in Sarasota and DeSoto counties.

The Mobile Pantry program helps to strengthen food security, providing thousands with reliable, nutritious meals in Sarasota and DeSoto counties. Last year, the food bank held or supplied food for 725 food distributions each month, providing more than 20 million meals to over 80,000 neighbors.

Additionally, a twice-monthly Veterans Pantry is offered at Church of the Palms in Sarasota, helping hundreds of veterans each month.

“Thanks to the support of these seven funders and the power of community partnerships, children are receiving nourishing foods through the BackPack program — giving them a better chance to thrive, both in and out of the classroom,” said All Faiths Food Bank’s President and CEO, Nelle S. Miller. “Together, we’re making it possible to bring hundreds of mobile pantries to neighborhoods each month and to operate a dedicated Veterans Pantry twice a month. This collaboration is key to helping individuals and families facing hunger in Sarasota and DeSoto counties and moving us closer to a hunger-free future.”

To learn more about All Faiths Food Bank, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org or call 941-379-6333. 

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.