Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Opportunity to match
Harry Chapin Food Bank is one of nearly 700 nonprofits participating in the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Giving Challenge. The Giving Challenge is an online 24-hour giving event that began today at noon. The Giving Challenge connects nearly 700 nonprofit organizations with passionate donors and community members to support diverse causes and create enduring impact in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties. To strengthen your impact during the Giving Challenge, The Patterson Foundation is providing a 1:1 match for unique donations, up to $100 per donor, per organization, with no limit on the number of unique individual matches a nonprofit can receive. You may wonder why your food bank is involved with an organization in Sarasota and the reason is because we share coverage of Charlotte County.
Nearly three-fourths of Charlotte County, especially the eastern half that borders Glades, is a food desert. In Charlotte County, your food bank supports 25 partner organizations. Unfortunately, three of our partners have closed their doors due to the pandemic. Ebenezer Food Pantry, a unique pantry in Charlotte County, is open 24 hours a day. This key strategic partner has adjusted its operations due to the pandemic, closing for two days a week. Like so many of our partners, they have recruited new volunteers, incorporated social distancing procedures and still serve over 100 families a day. Your food bank is extremely proud of all our partners! If you are looking for food, please click here.
Much like the rest of our footprint, the need in Charlotte is staggering and continues to grow. Last week, your food bank witnessed a 37% increase in two drive-thru distributions in Charlotte County. Your food bank is proud that we were able to distribute 117,867 pounds of food last week to this part of Southwest Florida.
Your food bank is privileged to participate in the Giving Challenge to support our most northern region. It is a privilege to offer you this matching opportunity so that your generosity may be stretched even more. It is a privilege to partner with you as we lead our community in the fight to end hunger.
P.S. One does not need to live in Charlotte County to participate in this giving opportunity.
To support our efforts, please click here.
If you are well, able and willing to give your time, please click here.