Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program 2022 – help replenish community food pantries in time for the holidays!

Food banks in Sarasota and Manatee counties rushed to help people impacted by Hurricane Ian, dipping into their reserves to help out after the storm. Now the non-profits are low on food and funds as Thanksgiving approaches, and leaders are asking for help.

“Our food panties are busy at work helping people who are in dire need. We made a decision to provide as much relief as possible. We just gave away more than $100,000 in Publix food gift cards to our local food panties. This depleted all our funds that we have raised so far that would normally be given out during the holiday season,” said Scott Biehler, executive director of the Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program, in which the City of Venice participates.

The Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program coordinates with 34 non-profit agencies in communities throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties. Together the network provides food and grocery gift cards to local households facing food insecurity. Over the past 35 years, The MFTHP has distributed more than 600 tons of food and $4.2 million in food gift cards. But now, due to Hurricane Ian, the cupboards are nearly bare.

Nonprofit organizers are asking members of the community to donate in time for the holidays so more families can look forward to full bellies on Christmas. All donations stay in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Financial donations are especially appreciated. They allow food pantries to give out gift cards, which means participants can buy the foods they like and know how to prepare. As an added bonus, the Flanzer Trust is matching donations made through their site, FlanzerTrust.org. Make sure to select The MFTHP from the list of charities.

Donors can also learn about giving their time or nonperishable food items at www.MayorsFeedTheHungry.org