State College of Florida, Sarasota-Manatee awarded $135,000 for 27 community projects as part of the communitywide 2015 MLK Day of Service this past Monday, Jan. 19. SCF received funding from the Florida Legislature to provide opportunities for Manatee and Sarasota counties’ community organizations to complete service projects in Florida District 70.

 

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All Faiths Food Bank announced a $30,000 “Midnight Match” challenge after an anonymous donor made the funds available for its Sprout Mobile Farm Market program. The community met the challenge within hours. The total funds will help purchase produce when necessary and increase the food bank’s service capacity. People who would like to support Sprout or other programs at All Faiths Food Bank can donate online by visiting allfaithsfoodbank.org or calling (941) 379-6333.

 

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The Appleby Foundation awarded an unrestricted gift of $15,000 to Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast to aid the Foundation’s mission of saving land.

 

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Keller Williams Realty Select raised $7,600 for multiple charities: The Salvation Army received $700, The Center for Building Hope, $1,000; Everyday Blessings, $3,500; KW Cares, $1,600; and KW Kids, $800. Donors include Brad Moyer, P.A. of Integrity Title Services, Shari Norwick, Rachel House, Brenda and Craig Wilson, Beth Barnett, Chris Ranney and Dennis Yoder.

 

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Neal Communities contributed $3,500 for local families to enjoy Rock-It the Robot at the 2015 Manatee County Fair taking place through this Sunday, Jan. 25 at 1303 17th St. W. in Palmetto. Rock-It can be seen today at 5:30, 7 and 8:30 p.m., Saturday at 3, 5 and 8 p.m. or Sunday at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Pat Neal, the CEO and founder of Neal Communities, also contributed $200 on top of the sale price of $2.75 per pound for Haggard, a 252-pound pig raised by Natalie Heim for the Nolan Middle School FFA Chapter.

 

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Freedom Boat Club donated $1,000 to the Michael Saunders & Company MSC Foundation, which supports many charitable associations in southwest Florida.

 

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The Crafting Interest Group, which has been meeting at the Goodwill Manasota store at Honore and 17th Street in Sarasota since December 2006, delivered 163 infant sweater sets and 73 blankets to the Florida Center for Early Childhood. The group meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. every Tuesday in the Community Room to knit, crotchet and socialize. Supplies are purchased from craft stores, Goodwill and yard sales; people of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate.