As 43% of local households struggle to afford basic necessities, United Way Suncoast has awarded All Faiths Food Bank a three-year, $270,000 grant to support its Benefits Assistance program. The funding will expand All Faiths’ efforts to help people in the community apply for vital government assistance programs — a key step toward greater financial stability.

According to United Way’s 2025 ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) report, the annual “survival budget” for a family with young children in Sarasota now exceeds $100,000, while the median household income is under $78,000. The result: working families are increasingly forced to choose between essentials like rent, prescriptions or food.

Together with community partners, like United Way Suncoast, All Faiths helps bridge that gap. In addition to distributing nutritious food, the organization connects neighbors with government resources, including SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Medicaid, Social Security benefits, Florida KidCare and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). 

All Faiths’ Benefits Assistance Program cuts through the complex and often confusing benefit application process that can be a barrier for ALICE neighbors. The food bank’s trained, bilingual benefits specialists guide individuals along the way — offering support to determine eligibility and navigate submissions successfully.

In 2024, All Faiths’ Benefits Assistance program connected thousands of neighbors with critical support programs, creating significant financial impact for individuals and the local economy. Thanks in part to the grant from United Way Suncoast, All Faiths expects to serve nearly 18,600 through this program over the next three years.

“When neighbors come to us for benefits assistance, they have likely already tried navigating the system unsuccessfully on their own,” said All Faiths President and CEO Nelle S. Miller. “We are proud to offer assistance in a respectful, nonjudgmental setting that maintains our neighbors’ confidentiality and dignity. We offer our sincere gratitude to United Way Suncoast for its generous support.”

For more information, 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.

About United Way Suncoast
United Way Suncoast mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. Our focus on Educational Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency creates an interconnected path that empowers individuals with the Freedom to Rise and the ability to create the life they envision for themselves, their families and their communities. Founded in 1924, we enter our second century of service with a decided focus on uniting the region to generate support for hard-working families that stand one unexpected expense away from dire circumstance. We proudly serve Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties. We elevate early learning, we energize middle school and high school students, and we empower families and community members. We enhance the community by addressing emerging needs such as natural disasters, and we expand the capacity of our nonprofits to help our impact ripple through the region. Along the way, we lead, convene and collaborate with corporate supporters, individual donors, nonprofit partners and valued volunteers because we know – United We Rise, United We Win. Visit unitedwaysuncoast.org.