It's no secret that a local farmers market is the best place to find the freshest and most delicious selection of fruits and vegetables. You might wonder, though, what happens to the fresh produce left unsold at these markets.

Community Harvest SRQ, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing food waste and addressing food insecurity comes to the rescue! By picking up unsold produce from farmers markets that would otherwise go to waste and donating it directly to local food pantries and other organizations serving food to the food insecure in our community, the group is committed to developing community-driven solutions for our local food system. Through their signature food-rescue initiatives, education events and annual Eat Local Week, they lead efforts to build a more sustainable future.

The pilot program started November 2022 when Executive Director Joyce Norris saw leftover produce being tossed into bins and loaded onto a truck, as if it were worthless. “This was all farm fresh produce and I couldn’t believe that it was being discarded when people are struggling to put food on the table,” she said. An idea sparked for Norris and her farmers market produce recovery program was born. The program addresses food waste and climate change (food is not left to rot and release methane gas), feeds people, helps the farmer because they do not have to bring the excess back to their farm, and provides meaningful connection between the farmer and our local community.

Every Sunday, Norris and her team pick up leftover produce at the Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch. “We are extremely grateful to our farm partners Mondragon Farms, Honeyside Farms, and Peach Pit, who are vendors at the market,” Norris said. “Without their generosity and strong desire to be a part of our community, this program would not exist. It is wonderful to see how committed these farmers are to growing fresh food and putting healthy food on plates. Our Lakewood Ranch veggies are provided to local food pantries and organizations feeding those in need.” Some of the organization’s recipient partners include The Salvation Army, Church of the Palms food pantry, Second Chance last Opportunity, and more.

To date, Community Harvest SRQ has rescued over 14,000 pounds of farmers market veggies. That is equal to 43,000 servings of fresh healthy produce going to people in need. 

Pictured: These peppers have been rescued from the Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch. Photo courtesy of Community Harvest SRQ.

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Manatee and Sarasota County students combed between couch cushions and hunted through coin purses to find pennies and nickels to share with families facing food insecurity. By the end of the “Be a Change-Maker” Campaign, the youths had raised $16,000 for the non-profit Mayors Feed the Hungry Program. It took Publix employees two days to sort, count, and process all the coins, MFTHP Executive Director Scott Biehler said.  The students’ donations paid for hundreds of Publix $25 grocery gift cards, which will be distributed at food pantries throughout Manatee and Sarasota and counties. Many donations came from children who live in the very communities the food pantries serve. While food pantries are always happy to receive canned food and other non-perishables, it is a treat to be able to distribute Publix grocery gift cards. That allows families to buy fresh, healthy ingredients that they like and know how to cook. Many people who visit area food pantries are employed and just need a little help stretching their budgets during a lean period. Due to inflation and rising food costs, it is becoming increasingly difficult for many households in Sarasota and Manatee counties to afford basic necessities. As the need is rising, donations are drying up, Biehler said. Volunteers are asking everyone with the means to show the same generosity as the area’s young people. Donors can help by visiting mayorsfeedthehungry.org/index.php/donate-money/. 

The 2024 Heritage Awards, hosted by the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation (SAHP) and the History & Preservation Coalition of Sarasota County (HPCOSC), at the Sarasota Art Museum on March 21, brought together over 125 attendees. They convened to honor outstanding individuals and organizations whose contributions span, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, archaeological conservancy, historical research and notable achievements, both organizational and individual. The event was hosted by Dave Baber, SAHP’s new board president. The awards presentation was hosted by Andrea Knies and Mimi Cirbusova, co-owners and co-founders of Compass Rose History. Event sponsors included Architecture Sarasota, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, New College Foundation, Hall Darling Design Studios, Ringling College of Art and Design, and Archaeological Consulting, Inc. among others. 

Parent advisor Tonika Conaway and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation Senior Vice President Kelly Romanoff have been selected as co-chairs of the Steering Committee of the First 1,000 Days Suncoast initiative. First 1,000 Days Suncoast is a network of nonprofit agencies and healthcare providers that addresses system barriers, builds community partnerships, and coordinates free and affordable services for families during pregnancy and the first three years after birth.  Under Conaway and Romanoff’s leadership, the Steering Committee helps guide the initiative’s direction and expand the involvement of parents and partners. With Sarasota Memorial Health Care System as the backbone organization of the initiative, First 1,000 Days supports and connects families with resources during pregnancy and throughout a child’s all-important first 1,000 days, when critical development occurs.  A key component of the initiative is parent empowerment, helping parents to be their child’s first and best teacher as well as leaders in their own communities.  To model this commitment to parent empowerment, Conaway is the first parent helped by the initiative who will serve as co-chair of the Steering Committee. According to Conaway and Romanoff, shared goals during their two-year leadership term include: increasing the number of parents who share their lived experience with the initiative to help shape programs and partnerships; expanding the number of partner agencies throughout the 12th Judicial Circuit that participate; and collaborating with parents, nonprofit professionals, and initiative staff to develop a five-year strategic plan. A mother of two, Conaway was raised in Sarasota, attended the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club in her youth, and graduated from Booker High School.  She is in the process of becoming a caseworker with a mental-health and addiction-treatment provider.  Romanoff is senior vice president for strategy and evaluation at Baranick Foundation.  She was the Foundation’s point person in researching, developing, and launching First 1,000 Days locally in 2018.  Romanoff has remained actively involved with the initiative, focusing most recently on research and evaluation to ensure continuous improvement and share lessons learned with other communities.  “Together, Tonika and I represent the joint efforts of parents and professionals in our community to help families provide a safe, stable, loving environment so every child can have a strong start in life,” said Romanoff. 

Pictured: Kelly Romanoff (left) and Tonika Conaway serve as co-chairs of the First 1,000 Days Suncoast steering committee.

Parc Center for Disabilities has announced a landmark gift of $2 million from Tampa Bay philanthropists Tom & Mary James. The gift is earmarked for the groundbreaking of Parc’s new Children’s Services Center and is the largest private donation ever received by the organization since its inception in 1953. 

The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) hosts its 11th Annual Blue Ties and Butterflies signature event to raise critical funds for programming during Child Abuse Prevention Month. Blue Ties and Butterflies is a celebration of the transformational healing CPC brings to survivors of child abuse. On April 10th at six o-clock in the evening, community members are invited to join the Child Protection Center in the fight against child abuse at Michaels On East. The 11th Annual Blue Ties and Butterflies is chaired by long-time CPC supporters, Tammy Karp, Taylor Karp Teymuri, and Sarah Karp Renkliyuz. Three generations have supported CPC’s mission through the Arthur S. Karp Family Foundation. CPC has a remarkable program lined up that will inspire attendees and show how their support is a beacon of light for every child or adult that is on their healing journey. Attendees can expect not only a delicious meal by the incredible Michaels On East team, but also a jazz hour for dessert, an opportunity to meet the PAWS therapy dogs (Pet Advocates Working in the Suncoast), and the chance to partner with CPC to change lives, forever. There are multiple ways to get involved including an exhilarating live auction with unique packages, a chance drawing for a custom ombré sapphire butterfly necklace, and even client-created art pieces you can take home for a donation. Tickets, sponsorships, and chance drawing opportunities are available on the Child Protection Center’s website at www.cpcsarasota.org/events.  

Pictured: The three chairs/members of the Karp family from last year's event. Photo courtesy of The Child Protection Center, Inc.

Leat Corinne Unger, the cousin of Omer Shem Tov, one of the 134 Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza, will share his story here in Sarasota. Supported by numerous local Jewish organizations, “Bring Them Home” will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 5:30pm at Temple Emanu-El (151 McIntosh Rd.). 21-year-old Omer Shem Tov was attending the Nova Music Festival on October 7th when the Hamas terrorists struck. He was one of dozens abducted from the concert and thrown in a dirty white pickup truck. He was able to share his location with his parents who noticed the location was moving and headed in the direction of Gaza. They never heard from him again but were able to identify him from tattoos seen on Hamas videos. One of the released hostages said Omer, who suffers from asthma and coeliac disease, was alive when she was freed on Day 55. Leat is speaking around the United States to raise awareness of the hostages still in captivity. She is a passionate humanitarian activist dedicated to advocating for human rights, promoting peace, and providing humanitarian relief. Temple Emanu-El’s Rabbi Elaine Glickman says, “We are honored to host Leat as she brings the plight of the Israeli hostages to our community. As evidenced by the many organizations who are partnering on this event, Sarasota is beautifully coming together to show their unified hope to bring the hostages home.” Partnering organizations are: American Jewish Committee (AJC), Aviva Senior Living, Congregation Kol HaNeshama, Hershorin Schiff Community Day School, Jewish Congregation of Venice, Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, JFCS of the Suncoast, Jewish National Fund (JNF), Temple Beth Israel, Temple Emanu-El, The Harvest Sarasota. The event is free, but reservations are required. To RSVP, visit sarasotatemple/events.org. For more information, email giselepintchuck@yahoo.com.  

The community is invited to a Self Care Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 6th at Girl Scout Camp Honi Honta in Bradenton. The family-friendly event will feature a variety of hands-on activities focused on health and wellness for all ages. Activities will include arts and crafts, games, yoga sessions, parent resources, and more. Additionally, there will be pet therapy dogs and light and healthy snacks available. The Self Care Fair is one of several activities the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida has undertaken recently in partnership with NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties to encourage mental wellness among families. The event is being offered as part of the 2024 Giving Challenge. The Giving Challenge is a bi-annual 24-hour fundraising event that will take place from noon to noon on April 9 to 10. Presented by Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the Giving Challenge is designed to build relationships, support diverse causes, and create enduring impact in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties. Donations between $25 and $100 are matched dollar for dollar through the generosity of The Patterson Foundation. All donations made during the Giving Challenge are unrestricted gifts to the nonprofit organization of your choice. In 2023, a study by Mental Health American reported that more than 1 in 10 youth in the United States are experiencing depression that is severely impairing their ability to function at school or work, at home, with family or in their social life. The partnership between the two organizations extends beyond the local level. NAMI National recently collaborated with Girl Scouts USA to create a mental wellness curriculum for the organization’s Junior (4th-5th grade), Cadette (6th-8th grade) and Senior (9th-10th grade) troops. The new Mental Wellness Patch program includes activities that foster resilience and help girls to better understand their world. The program reminds girls that they are never alone in facing challenges and further invites them to dive into and understand their emotions. On March 23, the two local organizations will join with HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital to host an event to help local Girl Scouts earn mental wellness and first aid patches. Therapists and nurses from the hospital and trained staff from NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties will lead a workshop for youth in 4th through 12th grades. In June, the local Girl Scouts will be hosting a gathering at the Plantation Golf & Country Club in Venice for their volunteers and troop leaders. During the event, NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties will facilitate a 30-minute wellness-based training activity that the Girl Scout leaders can then present to their troops. To learn more about the Self Care Fair and register for this free family-friendly event, visit bit.ly/Self-Care-Fair-2024. For more information about the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, visit www.gsgcf.org. For more information about NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties, visit NamiSarasotaManatee.org.  

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently granted $20,000 from the Dallas and Elizabeth Dort Charitable Fund to Choral Artists of Sarasota to help fund its April 2024 concert “Considering Matthew Shepard,” a powerful musical journey about the life and legacy of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man who was tragically murdered in Wyoming in 1998. The work was composed by Craig Helle Johnson, premiered in 2016, and has been performed by more than 40 choirs across the world. This production is joined in partnership by Embracing Our Differences, Project Pride, ALSO Youth, and the First Congregational Church UCC. 

Project 180, a leading prisoner reentry organization in Sarasota County, announces the retirement of its esteemed Founder and CEO, Barbara Richards, after 16 years of dedicated service. Richards has been instrumental in transforming the lives of countless individuals through Project 180's impactful programs aimed at reintegrating former prisoners into society. Under Barbara Richards' visionary leadership, Project 180 has grown to become a beacon of hope and rehabilitation in Sarasota County. Her commitment to the organization's mission has played a pivotal role in shaping the lives of those who seek a second chance after incarceration. "We are profoundly grateful for Barbara's unwavering dedication to our mission," said David Shuel, board chair of Project 180. "Her leadership has been the cornerstone of our success, and we are committed to honoring her legacy by continuing the important work she began." In light of Barbara Richards' retirement, Project 180 is excited to announce that the Search & Transition process for a new CEO is officially underway. The Search & Transition Task Force, comprised of representatives from the board and key stakeholders, will lead the search for the organization's next leader. This task force is committed to identifying a candidate who will carry forward the organization's mission and values, ensuring the continued success and growth of Project 180. Barbara Richards expressed her gratitude to the entire Project 180 community: "It has been a privilege to serve alongside such dedicated individuals and witness the transformative impact we have collectively achieved. I have full confidence in the capabilities of our exceptional team, and I look forward to seeing the organization continue to flourish in the years ahead." Project 180 remains steadfast in its commitment to providing support, resources, and opportunities for individuals seeking to rebuild their lives after incarceration. The organization looks forward to welcoming a new leader who will build upon Barbara’s legacy and guide Project 180 into its next chapter of positive impact in the Sarasota County community. 

The Downtown Baptist Church will present a free community event in Payne Park. The event will feature an inspirational message and high wire walk from world-famous wire walker Nik Wallenda, Good Friday service, food stations, a helicopter dropping thousands of candy-filled Easter eggs, inflatables and face painting for kids, live music, and more. This is the first-ever community-wide Good Friday event for First Sarasota, one that the event organizers hope will become an annual tradition. A church leader and friend of Wallenda’s invited him to perform; the hometown hero and international superstar enthusiastically accepted. In addition to his high wire walk, Wallenda will share his personal faith journey. With 11 Guinness World Records and a list of never-before-seen death-defying feats, Nik Wallenda – a 7th-generation member of the famed Flying Wallendas family of aerialists – has written his name in history as the “King of the High Wire.” He has performed live in every state in the U.S. and numerous locations worldwide. He has garnered the support of tens of millions of live viewers in network television specials on ABC, The Discovery Channel, and others. From crossing the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls to walking blindfolded between two towers in Chicago, Ill., he personifies the Wallenda family legacy, with his personal tagline, “Never Give Up!” He is also well-known for his deep Christian faith. The timeline for the event is as follows: 5:30 p.m.: free food, inflatables, face painting; 6:30 p.m.: helicopter Easter egg drop and hunt; 7 p.m.: Good Friday service featuring Nik Wallenda and high wire walk This takes place on Friday, March 29, 5:30-8:30 p.m., in Payne Park (2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota). Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. For more information about the event, visit firstsarasota.org/good-friday. 

Pictured: Nik Wallenda will be the special guest for the First Sarasota Church Good Friday in Payne Park event on March 29. Photo by Dan Minor

 Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation, and Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance are proud to announce the launch of a new platform designed to connect non-profits with individuals looking to volunteer in the Lakewood Ranch community! The partnership between these three organizations aims to provide a centralized hub for all volunteer opportunities in Lakewood Ranch. By joining the LWR Volunteer network, non-profits can easily promote their volunteer opportunities and connect with individuals who are eager to give back to their community. The LWR Volunteetr network aims to streamline the volunteer experience, making it easier for community members to find and engage with local non-profits that are in need of support. The platform will also provide resources and tools for non-profits to better manage their volunteers and track their impact in the community.  Non-profits interested in utilizing the LWR Volunteer network to promote their volunteer opportunities can visit lwrfund.org/volunteer or email info@lwrca.org for more information.