All Faiths Food Bank plans turkey dinner distributions

All Faiths Food Bank will hold its annual frozen turkey distribution for Thanksgiving beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall at 777 N. Tamiami Trail. The distribution will continue as long as supplies last.

The year’s effort is in partnership with The Bay Sarasota. Veterans are welcome to pick up turkeys and sides during the Veterans Pantry at Church of the Palms at 3224 Bee Ridge Road beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14. An additional turkey distribution will be held at Ed Smith Stadium at 2700 12th St. starting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

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

Since its founding in 1989, All Faiths Food Bank has provided food during the holidays, expanding its efforts through the ThankFULL campaign. Funds from this year’s campaign will enable All Faiths to distribute more than 13,000 turkeys plus side dishes in advance of Thanksgiving.

“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,” said All Faiths Food Bank 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.”

Funds for the turkey distributions are being raised through individual, foundation and corporate gifts to the ThankFULL campaign, as well as a $75,000 grant from the Kathleen K. Catlin Foundation of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

For more information about the turkey distributions, visit the Food Finder page at AllFaithsFoodBank.org. Donations to the ThankFULL campaign may also be made via the website.