As summer approaches and many part-time residents flee the state and escape the heat, All Faiths Food Bank (AFFB) is facing a significant volunteer shortage. From May through September, AFFB needs 800 volunteers to cover approximately 12,000 volunteer hours for its 60 planned outdoor mobile food distributions.

The need is particularly urgent over the summer as AFFB increases its output through the implementation of its summer feeding program for children who may be experiencing hunger. This effort – funded through the Campaign Against Summer Hunger – provides food for local kids throughout the summer months, when they lose access to free and reduced-cost meals at school. For the thirteenth year, the hunger relief organization is partnering with the Sarasota and DeSoto County school districts, along with hundreds of community partners, to provide free, nutritious food to children all summer long.

“Our volunteers are essential in helping us to maximize our reach and impact, ensuring that we can carry out activities at a level that our professional team couldn’t achieve without their support. Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our operations and the heart of our mission to end hunger in our community,” said AFFB president and CEO Nelle S. Miller. “We understand that summer is a time when many people travel, and our usual volunteer base shrinks. But hunger doesn’t take a vacation.”

Caring couple Rick and Kelly Hornback have been volunteering for All Faiths Food Bank for over four years. What started as a church community service project has grown into something deeply personal and fulfilling. Currently, they volunteer every month at the Gocio Elementary School Pantry in Sarasota.

When asked what they find most rewarding, Kelly doesn’t hesitate: it’s the people who come to pick up food at the pantry. “They share both the good and the difficult moments in their lives with us and remind us how much they depend on us being there,” she says. “They always thank us and give us hugs. We’ve even had the chance to meet their families and friends.”

Moments like these are how Kelly and Rick know they’re making a lasting impact. The food they help distribute reaches neighbors they often see out in the community, creating a meaningful connection to Sarasota that goes far beyond the pantry line.

Over the years, they’ve experienced countless meaningful moments. One that stands out is receiving a handwritten thank-you note from an older woman who visited the Gocio Elementary School Pantry, a memory they’ll carry with them for a lifetime.

In 2025, 3,200 “Hunger Heroes” contributed more than 59,000 hours to help the food bank in its mission of ending hunger. Activities that volunteers typically assist with over the course of the year include sorting and packing food, helping to distribute food at mobile pantries, participating in All Faiths’ nutrition education and cooking classes, working in the administrative offices, lending a hand at events, and more.

“Much of the volunteer work needed over the coming months involves helping at our outdoor mobile food pantries in the sweltering Florida heat. We know it’s not easy work,” said Miller. “But for those who step up, the reward is immeasurable: knowing you helped feed a child, a senior or a struggling family during one of the hardest times of the year.”

For more about All Faiths Food Bank or to learn how you can be a hands-on “Hunger Hero” this summer, 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.