For many years, All Faiths Food Bank has worked to brighten the holidays for those in need struggling to put food on the table. For Sarasota and DeSoto County residents and people who are already clients of the food bank, All Faiths will offer numerous distributions of frozen turkeys and side dishes this holiday season.

The immense challenges of the past few years—including runaway costs of essentials such as rent, food and gas, the Covid-19 pandemic and hurricanes—have hit those who were already struggling hard, especially children, families and seniors on fixed incomes, while new families have learned what it’s like to experience hunger.

Since its founding in 1989, All Faiths Food Bank has provided food during the holidays, steadily expanding its efforts through its "ThankFULL" campaign. Funds from this year’s campaign will enable the food bank to distribute more than 13,000 turkeys and side dishes ahead of Thanksgiving, and a total of 3.6 million holiday meals.

All turkey distributions will be held as long as supplies last. On Saturday, November 11, starting at 9 a.m., frozen turkeys and side dishes will be distributed at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (777 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota); this effort is being held in partnership with Van Wezel and The Bay Sarasota. Veterans are welcome to pick up turkeys and sides during the Veterans Pantry at Church of the Palms (3224 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota) on Tuesday, November 14, starting at 9 a.m. Another large-scale turkey distribution will take place at Ed Smith Stadium (2700 12th St., Sarasota) on Wednesday, November 15, starting at 4 p.m. All distributions last until supplies run out.

There will also be several locations for turkey distributions in DeSoto County, including at AllFaiths Food Bank’s DeSoto Food and Resource Center (1021 E. Oak St., Arcadia) on Friday, November 17, starting at 11 a.m.

Through Thanksgiving, additional turkey distributions will take place at several of All Faiths Food Bank’s mobile pantry sites, as well as through numerous partner agency locations, including school pantries and youth-serving nonprofits. Proof of Sarasota or DeSoto County residency is required.

“If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that hunger doesn’t take a break during the holidays and that many families feel the added pressure—and expense—of trying to provide seasonal meals and gifts,” says All Faiths Food Bank’s CEO Sandra Frank. “Our annual turkey distribution effort is just one way we endeavor to showcase the spirit of the season and let our neighbors in need know that we care.” 
For more information about the turkey distributions, visit the “Food Finder” page at allfaithsfoodbank.org.