Community Giving Brings “Season of Sharing” to more than $1.7 Million in Early Surge of Generosity

With three matching gifts contributed by The Patterson Foundation, support raised now will help fellow neighbors for the year to come

SARASOTA, FL – One month into the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s annual Season of Sharing campaign, local donors have raised more than $1.7 million to help their neighbors cover crucial expenses, overcome crisis, and regain stability throughout Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties. With this surge of community generosity, The Patterson Foundation has already provided an additional $300,000 so far in this year’s campaign.

“With Season of Sharing, each act of generosity is a part of this decades-long effort to restore peace of mind when it’s needed most and build hope for our future,” said Roxie Jerde, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. “We are heartened by our community’s caring and trust in Season of Season to be a dependable lifeline for people during their toughest moments. This campaign reminds us of all the possibilities we have when we come together for the betterment of everyone in our community.”

Those who need help are able to request support from these funds all year long to address immediate basic needs such as rental assistance, utility bills, child care, and transportation. A wide network of more than 50 social services agencies administers payments to landlords, utility providers, and others on behalf of families and individuals in crisis.

Since its inception 21 years ago, Season of Sharing has distributed more than $31 million to keep over 38,000 families and individuals in their homes. All contributions are applied locally with care and integrity, yet without any administrative fees, making the campaign an efficient time-tested and trusted way to quickly provide assistance during challenging times.

“When personal crisis strikes, there is no greater relief than knowing that your community is ready to extend a helping hand and get you back on your feet,” Jerde said. “Season of Sharing is that last-resort safety net for local residents in need with decades of trust, partnerships, and generosity made possible by neighbors, for neighbors.”

Between now and January 31, 2022, The Patterson Foundation is continuing its longstanding and inspiring support of Season of Sharing, contributing $100,000 for every $500,000 raised by the community with no cap on the number of contributions donors can activate throughout the campaign. Since 2010, The Patterson Foundation has contributed more than $6 million to inspire giving at all levels for this vital, community-wide effort.

“During the past two decades, givers of all backgrounds have embraced Season of Sharing’s effective, time-trusted model to safeguard the dignity and security of their neighbors during times of great hardship,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “We laud every donor helping Season of Sharing do more good for more people.”

Donations to Season of Sharing can be made throughout the year at any level. Gifts can be made online at http://www.cfsarasota.org/community-impact/community-care/season-of-sharing or by sending a check (payable to Community Foundation of Sarasota County) to Attn: Season of Sharing, 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237. All donations are tax-deductible, with every dollar going directly, and quickly, to those who need it most.

For more than 21 years, Season of Sharing has had the staying power to restore confidence and replenish hope for more than 38,000 neighbors in crisis, with support from our community. Built on collaboration and trust, the community-wide campaign is a partnership between the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation. To read stories from families and individuals who have been helped throughout this year by Season of Sharing, visit www.heraldtribune.com.

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About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County: The Community Foundation of Sarasota County 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. With assets of $520 million in more than 1,570 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $27.5 million dollars last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant more than $350 million to area nonprofit organizations to our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org or call (941) 955-3000.