Photo provided by Elonie McCartney Ward

No one should experience an empty tummy or miss out on Thanksgiving festivities during such a celebratory, altruistic time of year. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County (CFSC) lends a helping hand by ensuring no turkey gets left behind, by distributing grants to multiple local food banks to cover the costs of purchasing food packages for those in need in our community. Through the Kathleen K. Catlin Foundation of CFSC, $93,000 was awarded to the following 10 organizations to help their clients during this holiday season:

• All Faiths Food Bank Inc.

• Laurel Civic Association, Inc.

• Meals on Wheels of Sarasota Inc.

• Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center Inc (SPARCC)

• South Biscayne Baptist Church

• South County Food Pantry

• St. Jude Hispanic-American Catholic Church

• Sarasota Family YMCA, Inc.

• South County Food Pantry

• Senior Friendship Centers, Inc.

With a $35,000 share, All Faiths Food Bank was able to distribute more Thanksgiving meals than they ever have before. Over 7,100 frozen birds were doled out yesterday at Robarts Arena in Sarasota, through the food bank’s Mobile Pantries. All Faiths was able to provide wholesome groceries for side dishes as well, including mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green beans and cranberry sauce in addition to the whole turkeys. Communications manager Elodie McCartney Ward notes, “Thanks to the funding All Faiths Food Bank received, thousands of local children, families and seniors will receive food for the holidays.”

If you would like to join the Community Foundation of Sarasota in supporting the holiday meal distribution, learn more about All Faiths Food Bank's 'ThankFULL Tummies' campaign. #ThankfulTummies

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is proud to partner with SRQ Media Group to highlight stories about community impact powered by philanthropy in our region, thanks to the support of donors and our local nonprofit partners. The Community Foundation is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community.

Photo provided by Elonie McCartney Ward