All Faiths, Big Cat roar for support

EAST COUNTY — What happens when you couple exotic animals with live music?

A fundraiser for All Faiths Food Bank, in Sarasota.

The Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary and Bonfire Jam Band have partnered for a fundraiser benefiting All Faiths Food Bank’s Campaign Against Summer Hunger, an effort to feed more than 2,000 children in Sarasota this summer.

Jam Out Hunger will be held from noon to 5 p.m. June 21, at the habitat, 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota. Guests who bring a bag of non-perishable grocery items or make a donation to the food bank receive free entry to the habitat.

Regular admission costs $15 for adults or $7 for children.

“It’s a wonderful partnership between the food bank and a very special organization,” All Faiths CEO Sandra Frank said. “It’s a positive and fun kid-oriented way to feed other kids.”

The event, organized by volunteers Jackie and Ric Stuart, will include performances by the Bonfire Jam Band, the Heather Downie Band and the nationally known Mummers String Band of Philadelphia.

Eventgoers can feed and view bears and big cats, emus, goats and other animals in the petting zoo and take a self-guided tour of the habitat. Child-friendly activities and games also are planned.

“It’s a great cause,” Big Cat Habitat owner Kay Rosaire said. “I know people are really strapped for money right now, but this issue (of hunger) is important.

“You know, a lion gets hungry like everyone else,” she said, adding she wanted to host the event to showcase the habitat’s offerings and to educate children about animals. “We’re trying to show that common ground.”

Frank said although the food bank surpassed its goal for its 40-day Campaign Against Summer Hunger, which ended May 10, by raising $1.1 million and 776,253 pounds of food, the organization launched new programs aimed at feeding children and their families this summer June 9.

New summer programs include increasing the number of school break spots providing lunch from 30 to 48, implementing a backpack program for summer school students and adding food distribution sites for the summer.

The need to provide food and funding for the programs continues, added Laura Coyle, director of marketing for All Faiths.

“Even though we exceeded our goal, we have a lot of kids to feed,” Coyle said. “We are still accepting help.”

All Faiths now focuses its efforts on educating children and families about its new programs and services, Coyle said.

For more information on the food bank, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org. For more information on Big Cat Habitat, visit bigcathabitat.org.

Staff Writer Amanda Sebastiano contributed to this report.

If you go
Jam Out Hunger
When: Noon to 5 p.m. June 21
Where: Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota
Info: Event features access to a petting zoo, children’s activities and tours of the habitat, as well as live music by Bonfire Jam Band, the Heather Downie Band and the Mummers String Band of Philadelphia.
Admission: A bagful of non-perishable food or a monetary donation (normal admission costs $15 for adults or $7 for children)
Info: bigcathabitat.org

White Out Hunger drive continues
The Food Bank of Manatee continues its White Out Hunger campaign.

The 1,000 Pound Grand Challenge encourages food bank supporters to collect $1,000 or 1,000 pounds of food by June 30. The Food Bank is trying to collect 1 million pounds of food.

Suggested donation items include baby food, peanut butter, dry beans, canned goods, rice and money.

The Food Bank also needs volunteer drivers for its Meals on Wheels PLUS program. Visit mealsonwheelsplus.org for information.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected]