Fundraiser at Senior Friendship Centers supports the hungry

Behind the hula dancing and Hawaiian attire at Senior Friendship Centers’ End of Summer Bash this year was an important cause.

Senior Friendship Centers decided to loop in the event on Aug. 25 as its annual fundraiser for the Mayors Feed the Hungry program, a resource and partner of the organization, which also works with 24 other area nonprofits. 

Participants enjoyed cookies, Hawaiian punch, fruit, and veggies amid entertainment from Aloha Nui Hula Dancers and music from Krazy Karaoke Live as well as a 50/50 raffle. Volunteers from Embassy Suites by Hilton Sarasota also assisted at the event.

Proceeds from the event will go toward food gift cards and help finance food insecurity programs for Mayors Feed the Hungry, ultimately returning to its community partners. Issues with food security are “absolutely” a problem for seniors, said Scott Biehler, executive director of the program.

All the food pantries of the organization, which is supported by all Sarasota and Manatee county mayors, are experiencing increasing requests for food, not only from seniors, but also working families as well, he said.

“As you probably know, the cost of food has been going up, and the cost of rent and housing is going up, so all those factors, particularly for seniors who are on a fixed income; they’re not able to keep up with higher expenses,” he said.

Jenny Macias, senior programs manager at Senior Friendship Centers, said the COVID-19 pandemic also changed much about the food security of seniors.

“We have a lot of people that are still not wanting to come out. They might be eating but they're not eating a well-balanced diet … and also with inflation, it’s really hard to get good, nutritious meals for a good price," she said.

The nutrition program at Senior Friendship Centers offers a nutritious meals on-site, as well as home delivery meals for homebound clients.