West Villages Improvement District: Hunger pains

Food bank to launch biggest summer food program yet
March 05, 2020

BY PATRICIA HORWELL
phorwell@floridaweekly.com

There is a misconception that the majority of Sarasota County residents are affluent or at least comfortable. But in fact, about 50 percent of Sarasota County schoolchildren are enrolled annually in free and reduced-price school lunch programs. But once the summer arrives and most schools close, many of these children go hungry.

For the seventh year now, All Faiths Food Bank is making filling those tummies a top priority through its annual Campaign Against Summer Hunger. The fund-raising campaign runs from April 1 through May 15 and the official kickoff, the Walk to End Summer Hunger, will begin at 8 a.m. March 29 at JD Hamel Park on Sarasota’s bayfront.

According to the food bank’s CEO Sandra Frank, although the percentage of kids who are food needy remains about the same as in the past, the numbers have increased because of an upsurge in population. In anticipation of the increased need, All Faiths extended its building in 2018.

“The rise (in the number of kids) has been pretty consistent, almost in lockstep with the increased number of residents. As a result, we’ve had to up our game,” Ms. Frank said. “We’re just having to push the envelope and identify new sources of food.” That means the nonprofit needs more trucks and drivers — and more food.

Last year, the program provided 3.3 million meals to more than 37,000 children in Sarasota and DeSoto counties. This year, the food bank hopes to provide nutritious food to more children than before. “Meal programs are offered at places where kids convene and are safe. Libraries, schools, community centers, boys and girls clubs, YMCAs — wherever children gather,” Ms. Frank said.

“It’s a win for the children, their families, and the community.”

In addition to those meal programs, backpacks are filled for kids to bring home for their younger brothers and sisters. About half of the children attending these programs have younger siblings at home.

The campaign has grown every year since its inception. “We continue to identify new partners and new programs,” Ms. Frank said. “It’s a community effort. Everybody’s heart is in this and that speaks to the commitment of this entire community.” Parents are feeling less frazzled in the knowledge that their kids are being fed while they are in safe places, usually reading and learning.

When parents were surveyed, 83 percent said being able to access food made them feel less stressed, Ms. Frank said.

“It enabled me to keep my kids’ trust and respect as a mom,” one parent said.

“The environment is comfortable for me and my girls didn’t feel any stigma,” said another.

Summer food programs to be funded include:

• Backpack program to provide kids with meals and snacks at various sites including libraries, summer camps, and early learning centers.

• School pantries giving families fresh produce, meat and groceries at several schools.

• Mobile pantries, which distribute fresh produce,meat, and groceries to children and their families.

• Partnerships with Sarasota and DeSoto counties’ school district food and nutrition services enhance the meal services they provide through the summer schools and other community sites where children attend.

• Nutrition education at learning academies teaches families how to shop for and prepare healthy, low-cost meals.

Lead nonprofit contributors to the program are the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

The Walk

Participants will hike across the Ringling Bridge. “We’re expecting 500 people in Stop Hunger shirts will be walking together across that bridge,” Ms. Frank said.

The event will launch a six-week, dollar-for-dollar match challenge of $1.4 million to fund summer food programs.

Any member of the public may participate. A $10 registration fee includes a T-shirt and breakfast. Registration is open until March 25.

To register for the walk or for more information, visit www.allfaithsfoodbank.org.

Schedules for the mobile units, open to all, are available on the website. Ms. Frank asked that people check the website, call 941-379-6333 or email info@allgaithsfoodbank.org to make sure the schedule or venues have not changed.

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate