SARASOTA – Every aspect of our lives is changing, but the need for food goes without saying. A Suncoast non-profit works around the clock to provide meals.
“As we watch what’s happening with the virus, so many organizations are stepping back correctly, and appropriately so, they’re stepping back; and that’s when the food bank leans in,” All Faiths Food Bank CEO, Sandra Frank said.
Frank says making sure people have enough food during times of crisis is part of its mission.
Since CDC recommends people practice social distancing, Frank says they’re packing boxes of healthy food for a family of four for seven days.
“So that they have less exposure, they don’t have to leave the house as often, and they also have the nutritious food they need,” Frank said.
The food bank has about 100 distribution sites throughout Sarasota County.
And families are able to pick up the food through a NEW method: Drive-Thru.
“This is a new feature for us, because we typically have client choice, which means the client can look at food and pick what they want,” Frank said. “But, we need to put into effect safety measures to make sure we are social distancing.”
Since schools are out until April 15, the food bank is also working with Sarasota School District to open new sites to provide meals for children.
“The school district meals are specific for children that are 18 and under,” Strategic Program Officer of All Faiths Food Bank, Colleen Reinert, said.
Parents can drive their kids to the school to pick up food.
“The children have to be in the vehicle in order to get that lunch and breakfast for the next day,” Reinert, said.
On top of that, All Faiths Food Bank includes healthy, easy to prepare, child-friendly foods in backs packs for kids, which includes turkey sticks and chocolate milk.
The food bank is preparing tens of thousands of backpacks to distribute to families at schools.
Starting Monday, March 23, they’ll be providing breakfast, lunch and backpacks in a grab-and-go model at five different schools. They include Fruitville Elementary, Booker High, North Port High, Atwater Elementary and Garden Elementary School. The distribution will be from nine to one every day, at each designated school.
Demand is high and supply is low. But, at this time they’re discouraging food drives and drop-offs. If you want to help, they have online opportunities to donate.
For more information on locations and donations, you can visit their website.
