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SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – Temple Emanu-El volunteers are feeding hungry families on the Suncoast, through a new initiative.

As food insecurity is becoming more prevalent, volunteers want to help those suffering from the pandemic.

So, they teamed up with All Faiths Food Bank to serve food at Wilkinson Elementary throughout the summer.

Tuesday marked the first day of this food distribution.

Teen youth group members are leading the initiative.

“I just think it’s really important now, more than ever with everything going on with COVID and all the chaos to ensure the community gets fresh food,” Riverview High School student, Riley Singler, said.

“I’ve always wanted to give back to kids and I just found this a great way to do so, cause I always feel for the people who are less fortunate than I am,” Lakewood Ranch High School student, Zachary Geiger, said. “And I wanted to give back today to those I couldn’t help through COVID, I wanted to help now.”

Temple Emanu-El volunteers are unpacking, sorting, and handing out the food supplies.

They’ll continue serving families at Wilkinson Elementary every Tuesday in the months of June and July. Drive-thrus will be open from 11 am to 1 pm.

Sarasota County Schools will also continue its once-a-week-distribution of a week’s worth of food every Friday throughout the summer. Below are the details:
 
 

Extension of Meal Distributions for Students

The Sarasota County Schools’ Food & Nutrition Services department has been serving weekly meals to families since March 23rd. And they will continue these weekly meal distributions through the summer. The meal pick-up timeframe over the summer will still be from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Fridays. All children 18 and under will be served, and children must be present for meal pick-up.

The following Sarasota County school sites will continue to participate in drive-thru meal distribution:

  • Booker High School – 3201 North Orange Avenue, Sarasota
  • Alta Vista Elementary School – 1050 S Euclid Ave, Sarasota
  • Fruitville Elementary School – 601 Honore Avenue, Sarasota
  • Garden Elementary School -700 Center Road, Venice
  • Wilkinson Elementary School – 3400 Wilkinson Rd, Sarasota
  • Lamarque Elementary School – 415 Lamarque Ave, North Port
  • North Port High School – 6400 West Price Blvd, North Port
  • Atwater Elementary School – 4701 Huntsville Ave, North Port

The Food & Nutrition Services department will attempt to accommodate a child’s allergens. For more information, parents and guardians can email Kristen.Pulfer@sarasotacountyschools.net with allergen considerations, school location for pick-up, and approximate time of pick-up.