During All Faiths Food Bank’s recent Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, the area’s only food bank and largest hunger relief organization recognized the significant contributions of its volunteers in 2024. Last year, more than 3,000 “Hunger Heroes” contributed over 54,500 hours to help the food bank in its mission of ending hunger. 

Activities that volunteers assist with include food sorting and packing, distributing food at mobile and school pantries, administrative responsibilities, events and much more.

The honorees recognized during the 2025 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon were: Regina Leach (Sorting Star), Giovanni Delli Carpini (Packing Pro), Lester Gulitz and Shelley Levy (Mobile Pantry Heroes), Sheril Miller (Mobile Farm Market Hero), Karen Wilkinson (Registration Hero), Louise Lester (Family Pantry Hero), Kelly and Rick Hornback (Family Pantry Registration Heroes), Alexander Wall (High School Hunger Hero), Art DeRiggs (Shift Captain of the Year), Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota (Community Hunger Heroes), Jeff and Nancy Van Niel (Outstanding Outreach Heroes), Matt Trumble (New Hunger Hero), Helen Volonakis (Helping Hand of the Year), Temple Emanu-El (Fundraiser and Food Drive Hunger Heroes), Cindy Morris (Special Events Hero), Vicki Hazle (Administrative Hero), Boar’s Head (Corporate Hunger Heroes) and Wendy LaChaunce (Presidential Hunger Hero).

“Last year, our volunteers stepped up in extraordinary ways, braving record-breaking summer heat to volunteer at mobile pantries, helping our community through three back-to-back hurricanes and distributing more than 13,000 Thanksgiving turkey dinners – all with unwavering dedication, smiles and positivity,” said Volunteer Coordinator Tiffany Rivet. “Their passion for ensuring everyone in our community has access to healthy food is nothing short of inspiring, and the impact of their efforts is undeniable. I feel so fortunate to work alongside such an incredible group of people every day."    

“Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization – with a relatively small staff, we simply couldn’t do this work alone,” added President and CEO Nelle S. Miller. “It is because of our incredible team of volunteers that, together, we’re able to make such a meaningful impact for our neighbors facing hunger.”

As summer approaches and many part-time residents flee the state to escape the heat, AFFB is always seeking additional volunteers to ensure the organization is able to serve the community effectively and efficiently. From May through September, AFFB needs around 800 volunteers to cover approximately 12,000 volunteer hours for its planned outdoor mobile food distributions. To learn more, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org/volunteer.

About All Faiths Food Bank
All Faiths Food Bank is the only food bank and largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties, providing millions of meals each year in collaboration with more than 300 agencies and programs throughout the community. All Faiths works not only to end hunger today, but also strives to end hunger – forever – by helping families and individuals gain long-term food security, enjoy better health outcomes, and achieve self-sufficiency. All Faiths is rated four stars by Charity Navigator and is a partner of the Feeding America and Feeding Florida networks. Visit allfaithsfoodbank.org.