Campaign Against Summer Hunger collects $1.2 million

Feeding more students and more often was the goal set forward by All Faiths Food Bank for the 2015 Campaign Against Summer Hunger.

On the patio of the North Sarasota Public Library Wednesday morning, All Faiths Food Bank CEO Sandra Frank announced that that goal was met with more than 935,000 pounds food and $1.2 million in donations.  

Gulf Coast Community Foundation Senior Vice President for Philanthropy Veronica Brady to thanked contributors for their donations to the cause that helped exceed the 2014 amount.

“We are so excited about this partnership with the libraries, the school system and of course All Faiths Food Bank,” Brady said during the press conference. “It is just emblematic of the great work that is being done by All Faiths Food Bank in making sure children and families are fed in our community.”

Food will be distributed to students at locations around Sarasota County until September. The month-long campaign wrapped up May 9 and exceeded the 2014 results to be able to feed more children, more often.

“It tells us how much this community cares about kids and cares about their nutrition, cares about learning and cares about literacy,” Frank said. ”I think it really represents the community’s concern.  Last year we were able to feed over 15,000 kids, this year we know we’ll hit that and more children and more often.”

Part of reaching out to those children comes through a partnership with the Sarasota County libraries for additional venues for distribution of meals. Director of Sarasota County Libraries & Historical Resources Sarabeth Kalajian feels that the partnership is a natural one to help students maintain their learning skills all year round.

“We talk about feeding kids’ minds and the learning that can go on in a little bit more informal setting,” Kalajian said. “Already we’re incredible partners with the school system. It’s not a very big leap to understand that during the summer months, especially those kids that are just learning to read can really experience a decline in their skills.”

With help from the Sarasota County School District, All Faiths Food Bank will expand the breakfast and lunch programs "BreakSpots" to 40 locations. There will also be new mobile pantry stops. All Faiths Food Bank is also scheduling new mobile pantry stops, continuing its summer BackPack Kids and pantry programs at summer schools, and increasing capacity at established food distribution sites and at its Sprout Mobile Farm Market.

Participating Sarasota County public libraries include: Fruitville, Gulf Gate, North Sarasota; Selby Public Library; Elsie Quirk Library in Englewood; North Port Public Library in North Port; and Jacaranda and Venice Public Library in Venice.

For the complete schedules and maps for all summer food assistance programs, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org.