Pictured: AFFB board member Terri Vitale (left) and volunteer Lorraine Vitale helped distribute turkeys at Van Wezel in 2020.

For 16 years now, All Faiths Food Bank has worked to brighten the holidays for those who are struggling to put food on the table. For Sarasota and DeSoto County residents and those who are already clients of the food bank, All Faiths will offer numerous distributions in an effort to take empty plates and turn them into “ThankFULL tummies and hearts” this holiday season. Funds from the ongoing “ThankFULL” campaign will enable All Faiths to distribute more than 12,500 turkeys and sides – the largest number ever – in advance of Thanksgiving this year. With the financial impacts of the pandemic continuing, too many community members who were already at risk are struggling to put food on the table. To help All Faiths respond to the need, The Bay Park Conservancy and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will, once again, host the kick-off for this year’s turkey distribution effort.

On November 6, frozen turkeys and side dishes will be distributed at Van Wezel starting at 9:00am and continuing as long as supplies last. Another distribution in central Sarasota will be held at Ed Smith Stadium on November 18, 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Over the next several weeks, additional turkey distributions will take place through All Faiths’ partner agencies, including school pantries, youth-serving nonprofits, and mobile pantry sites. Proof of Sarasota or DeSoto County residency is required.  The funds for the turkey distributions are being raised through generous gifts to the ThankFULL campaign as well as through the generous support of the Kathleen K. Catlin Foundation of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which contributed $50,000. The goal of the ThankFULL campaign is to raise enough money to provide 3.2 million meals through the end of the year for families who are facing hunger. 

Pictured: AFFB board member Terri Vitale (left) and volunteer Lorraine Vitale helped distribute turkeys at Van Wezel in 2020.

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