Salvation Army launches Food Pantry and Feeding Program at Tuttle Avenue location
The Salvation Army Sarasota County is expanding their efforts to fight hunger, launching a new Food Pantry and Feeding Program at the Sarasota Corps at 1701 Tuttle Ave.
The food pantry opened during the week of May 13, coinciding with National Salvation Army Week, and will provide groceries on Mondays and Thursdays from noon-2 p.m. A free Community Hot Meal program is available every Tuesday from noon-2 p.m.
The Salvation Army has seen a significant increase in the requests received for assistance, with many families seeking help with basic services, including food. Last year, The Salvation Army’s Food Pantry in Venice provided 10,647 grocery orders to individuals struggling with food insecurity. Thanks to support from the community and partners such as All Faiths Food Bank, The Salvation Army Food Pantry in Venice has served more people than ever and continues to provide groceries each week to those in need.
“On average, we are seeing approximately 20 new families each month in our Food Pantry” Salvation Army Lieutenant Crystal Dupree said.
Since 1927, The Salvation Army has consistently worked to help those in need 365 days a year, providing assistance to individuals and families who find themselves in crisis, shelter to those experiencing homelessness, food and meals to the hungry, and more.
“Our Food Pantry will offer a variety of nutritious food options that our guests can choose from," Captain Jim Curry. "They can select the produce they want, the beverages they like, and the canned goods they prefer.”
The Salvation Army provides groceries and nutritious meals to anyone in need.
“Thanks to the generous support of donors, businesses, and community partners, The Salvation Army continues to be a beacon of hope for people who are experiencing widespread disasters or their own personal crisis,” Colonel Michele Matthews said.
For more information or to make a financial or food donation, call The Salvation Army Sarasota County at 941-954-4673; visit at 1400 10th St.; or visit sarasota.salvationarmyflorida.org.
All Faiths summer food program
For the 11th year, All Faiths Food Bank will help feed thousands of students in Sarasota and DeSoto counties as part of their Campaign Against Summer Hunger.
Funded through contributions to the Campaign Against Summer Hunger, All Faiths will join hundreds of community partners and programs to provide healthy, nutritious food for children at 45 sites throughout the community all summer. Last year, with the support of 300 partners and programs, All Faiths served more than 107,000 meals through its summer feeding programs.
“For the past 11 years, it has been our honor – and we feel it is our responsibility – to make sure kids have enough to eat over the summer months,” All Faiths president and CEO Nelle Miller said “We are so grateful to our lead investors, as well as every community member who contributed to the Campaign for their invaluable support and compassion. Thanks to their generosity, tens of thousands of area children will have access to food, in numerous convenient locations, throughout the summer.”
More information about Sarasota County Schools summer meal resources is available at sarasotacountyschools.net/summerfeeding or by calling 941-486-2199. To find a summer food site, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org/summer-food-sites. To learn how to help children and families experiencing hunger, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org or call 941-379-6333.
Submitted by Kelley Granahan, Sharon Kunkel
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Salvation Army Sarasota County opens new food pantry on Tuttle Avenue
