One in seven Americans relies on food pantries and meal service programs to feed themselves and their families. That's roughly 46 million people having to make trade-offs either purchasing food or using their money to pay for utilities, rent, gas, and medicine.
Nationwide, 25% of military families, which are about 620,000 households need help supplying their families with food. In 2016, a study found that 46% of homes in Florida were not able to afford basic needs such as transportation, housing, healthcare, childcare, and food. ALICE study on All Faiths website says that "37% of households in Sarasota struggle to afford their basic needs and 60% of households in DeSoto struggle to afford their basic needs." We partnered up with All Faiths Food Bank for many reasons. I learned of this organization through my high school, The Out-of-Door Academy. After school, we would volunteer in one of the classrooms. We would organize the food and create an assembly line as we packed the bags with food and then proceeded to load up the cars. The point was so that kids would have some food over the weekend. It broke my heart when they would share stories about the children and how they would share the food with their siblings and parents etc. If they did not get these bags for the weekend, they might not get to eat at all. Whats a weekend without good eats?! Recently, I was invited by my aunt to attend All Faith's Cooking With Class event, and it recaptured my attention as they shared stories and statistics.
According to AFFB's website, in 2018:
-82,000 people were served in Sarasota and DeSoto
-8.75 million meals were distributed last year
-3.6 million pounds of that food was fresh produce
-10.5 million pounds were distributed to children, families, seniors, and veterans.
I decided to take action, and so I reached out to All Faiths Food Bank and proposed that I host a food drive at Purify An Urban Sweat Lodge! They happily agreed, then I came up with a plan and incentives.
+ 10% off a single session if you bring in one item of food.
+ 20% off a single session if you bring in two items of food.
+ If you bring in 5 or more items, you get 30% off a single session as well as entered into a drawing to win two free sessions! We will be hosting this food drive from November 1st-26th! More then welcome to drop off as well!
Above are some of the items that you can give!
"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving."
- Mother Theresa
To those who have donated already, thank you kindly! Our community appreciates it. It might seem like an insignificant can of tuna, but it can have a far more significant impact on someone soon! Think of it as Purify with a Purpose! For your mind, body, soul, and the community!
Check out All Faiths Food Bank online to learn more! We look forward to seeing you in Purify soon!
Warmly,
Samantha Albano
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