In our community – widely perceived as affluent given the proximity to beautiful beaches, a vibrant arts and cultural scene, and thriving tourist industry – hunger is close. Sometimes, it’s just a house over. Each year, nearly 200,000 people in Sarasota and DeSoto counties need food. In order to bolster its efforts to feed our neighbors who are experiencing hunger, All Faiths Food Bank will offer three signature events in the fall of 2024. Proceeds from these events will help to support many programs and services intended to supply food and lift people from poverty, provide fresh fruit and vegetables to ensure neighbors in need have access to healthy nutrition, and purchase and distribute thousands of turkeys during the holiday season. On October 5, AFFB will host the Autumn Harvest Dinner, featuring an exquisite farm-to-table dinner, in its Sarasota warehouse. This event is part of the Autumn Harvest campaign, which helps to put millions of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables on the tables of people in our communities experiencing hunger. Of the more than 21 million pounds of food distributed last year, nearly 6 million pounds was fresh produce. Event hosts are Tom and Pam Gurrentz. The Autumn Harvest Dinner is sold out. On November 10, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Bowls of Hope – one of the community’s largest events – returns to Ed Smith Stadium. During this family-friendly event, 40 of our area’s finest restaurants and caterers serve delicious soups, bread, desserts, and more. Guests select beautiful handcrafted bowls – all donated by local potters, artists, and students – to keep while enjoying a modest meal as a reminder of the empty bowls they help to fill. Sponsors are eligible to attend the “Bubbles & Beignets” reception at 10 a.m. Event chairs are Ron and Jo Jadin. Tickets, which go on sale October 1, are $35; sponsorships are still available. Finally, on November 15, guests are invited to Friends FULL of Giving, an evening of friends, delicious food, music and fun at an exquisite location in Casey Key, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. All proceeds will benefit the ThankFULL Tummies campaign, which provides turkeys to our neighbors experiencing hunger during the holiday season. Event chair is Lisa Napolitano. Sponsorships are available for $1,500-$10,000. For questions or to receive sponsorship information, please contact Becky Abraham at 941-549-8131 or events@allfaithsfoodbank.org.