ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK NEEDS HELP FILLING EMPTY PLATES FOR THE HOLIDAYS Information from the Herald-Tribune
According to the “Sarasota HeraldTribune,” All Faiths Food Bank is turning its attention this fall to those who may be struggling during the holiday season. The region’s only food bank and largest hunger relief organization encourages the community to share the joy of helping others and embrace the true meaning of the holiday season by supporting its “ThankFULL” campaign. In order to meet the need that developed during the pandemic, All Faiths expanded its partner network to nearly 200 agencies and significantly increased its monthly distributions. Already this year, All Faiths has distributed almost 40% more food than it did in the year prior to the pandemic. “Our numbers clearly show that our neighbors are still suffering,” said All Faiths Food Bank’s CEO Sandra Frank. “The urgency is as intense as ever. With the support of our community, we can help families heal from the pandemic by providing a holiday celebration and healthy meals.” Hunger doesn’t take a break during the holidays. For 16 years, All Faiths Food Bank has worked to provide food for our neighbors in need during the holidays. In fact, for children receiving reduced-price or free lunches at school, the holidays can actually exacerbate food insecurity as these meals aren’t available when schools are closed.
CREATIVE CORNER Little Tyke’s Christmas By Ann-Marie Stenhouse Little Tyke was so excited, learning they will be going to Gram and Grampap’s house for dinner. He loved that old house. It was in the country, with lots of snow and woods to roam. Only problem was the bathroom was way upstairs; it had a tub with “claw feet.” Gram would let him play with her collection of whittled wooden dogs she kept on a shelf over the fireplace mantle. Grampap took to whittling when he got old. Maybe after dinner, Grampap would take him to visit The Lodge and see all the raccoon-hunting dogs. They would howl seeing a raccoon run up a tree. Later, a nice nap with Grampap before heading home. Gram would pack up lots of leftovers for Little Tyke and his mom and dad. He looked forward to working on a puzzle from his grandparents this year. Another wonderful Christmas; he was very full and happy. Merry Christmas to All!
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The holidays are the perfect time for people to reflect, practice gratitude for what they have and find ways to share the joys of the season. While All Faiths works to provide nutritional assistance all year long, the ThankFULL campaign offers the perfect opportunity for generous members of the local community to contribute meaningfully to help friends and neighbors in need. Over the years, All Faiths Food Bank has steadily expanded its efforts to provide food through the ThankFULL campaign. The effort has been made possible through the generosity of individual and corporate gifts as well as ongoing, annual support from the Kathleen K. Catlin Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. To learn more about All Faiths Food Bank or to help turn empty plates into ThankFULL Tummies and Hearts by making a donation, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org or call 941-379-6333.
Lifestyles After 50 • December 2021 • 23
