Summer food program becomes even more critical amid significant federal funding cuts, nonprofit’s leaders say
“As summer approaches, tens of thousands of local children face the harsh reality of hunger when school meal programs pause,” leaders of the nonprofit All Faiths Food Bank are stressing to the public.
“This year, the situation is even more urgent,” a news release points out, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has “announced plans to slash more than $1 billion in support of programs that enabled schools and food banks to buy fresh produce directly from local farms, with further cuts to critical programs expected.”
Additionally, for the second year in a row, Florida has “opted out of the Sun Bucks program, forgoing nearly $260 million that could have fed more than 2.1 million children across the state this summer,” the release adds.
All Faiths Food Bank is rallying members of the community “to step up during its 12th annual Campaign Against Summer Hunger,” the release continues. “The campaign officially kicked off March 30 with The Walk to End Summer Hunger,” which was held at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, “drawing a crowd of approximately 500 compassionate supporters.”
“While we’re deeply concerned about the long-term implications of these cuts, our immediate focus is ensuring that every child in our community has enough to eat this summer,” said Nelle S. Miller, president and CEO of All Faiths Food Bank, in the release. “We’re preparing thoughtfully and strategically, using predictive forecasting to understand how these changes could impact our neighbors — and urging our community to help meet today’s need.”
“To amplify community support, generous donors have pledged a dollar-for-dollar challenge match of up to $1 million, doubling the impact of every donation made to the Campaign Against Summer Hunger through May 15,” the release notes. Further, the release says, the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation are once again leading the way as the campaign’s principal investors.”
“For hardworking families already managing the pressures of inflation, rising grocery costs and continued hurricane recovery, this summer will be especially tough,” said Lisa Krouse, campaign chair, in the release. “Our community has always stepped up in times of need, and now is one of those times,” she added.
“Through a network of schools, libraries, early learning centers, summer camps and community organizations, the food bank provides children with healthy meals via mobile pantries, school-based food distributions, ‘BackPacks’ filled with kid-friendly snacks and enhanced meal services,” the release explains. All Faiths Food Bank leaders work in partnership with the Sarasota and DeSoto County school districts, the release notes.
More than 50% of the students in Sarasota County — and 100% of those in DeSoto County — “rely on free or reduced-cost school meals,” the release points out. “Last year, thanks to community support, more than 35,000 children received vital food assistance through the campaign.”
To learn more about the campaign and to donate to it, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org.