- March 29, 2025
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At age 27, in 2010, Erin Minor became executive director of Harvest House, which her parents Jim and Peggy Minor founded in 1992.
On Feb. 20, after 22 years with the organization, she handed a symbolic object, an oversize key, to her brother Dan Minor.
The event made the 2025 Home Again Luncheon, held at Michael's on East, a passing of the torch besides its role as a yearly fundraiser for the organization.
On Feb. 22, Erin stepped down to enter the role of vice president of community leadership at Gulf Coast Community Foundation, with Dan assuming the additional role of CEO.
"I believe in divine timing, and I really do feel like it was divine timing for Dan moving into this new role, this role at Gulf Coast," she said. "If I were to ever move, it had to be the right time, the right place, and the right position, and this hit all three things, so it's just that moment in time where it's like, yes, yes, yes. It all makes sense."
Harvest House credits Minor with realizing its vision and expanding its impact of actions, including her successful pursuit of grants on levels from federal to local.
The nonprofit focuses on meeting needs in Sarasota and Manatee counties, including affordable housing, addiction recovery, workforce development and food security.
A media release said in 2024, it served 576 households, including more than 800 individuals, through housing and community-based case management.
Erin says Dan has been an instrumental part of its workings for 21 years. Now, it is his turn to lead its mission.
"I'm elated and also feel the great weight and of the responsibility of carrying on something that is so well-respected in our community," he said.
He said he looks to continue doing what Harvest House has done, which is "carrying a level of dignity and integrity with the way that we serve those that are in our care."
He said he will focus on two main priorities, which are more affordable housing in Sarasota — with a project specifically for seniors — and the building of a mental health wing in Harvest House.
"If there's room left over, we want to continue to innovate, because the needs of Sarasota, Manatee County and beyond are constantly changing, and I want us as an organization to do what we've always done, which is adapt in real time for the needs of our community, and have the kind of partners in the philanthropic world and supporters who will support these quick changes to address the needs that are in our wheelhouse for Sarasota," he said.
Erin said she was glad to pass the organization on to her brother.
"It's an honor for me to pass it on to a family member who's been by my side for years," she said. "He's kind of been behind the scenes, but leading with me, and so obviously, it's very personal for our family to carry the legacy on, and I couldn't be prouder to hand the torch up to him."
According to figures provided the day of the luncheon, the event raised more than $300,000, including matching funds contributed by the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and Jerry and Fay Bainbridge, surpassing last year's fundraising total of $250,000,
The event also showcased testimonials from two clients, a woman identified as Farah, where staff member KK Burchell related her story in a video, and Barb Allen, who spoke at the event.
"The success of Harvest House and its programs, is personal," Allen said. "It's personal because I stand here today as proof that it works. It's personal because I know what it feels like to believe you're too far gone, and it's personal, because I know there's people sitting in jail, moms living on the street, trapped in addiction right now, people just like me who are waiting for someone to believe in them."
While on stage, Allen was gifted with funds to cover the remaining $1,500 down payment on her home.
During requests for donations, attendee Kathy Brown agreed to sponsor something that Farah's young daughter, who has special needs, had wished for: a trip to Disney World for around $2,000.
