Family Promise of South Sarasota County (FPSSC) is excited to have received a  generous $2,500 grant from Publix Super Markets Charities in support of FPSSC’s Bridge Housing and  Open Doors Programs which include rent assistance, emergency shelter, emergency funds, and  diversion assistance. Publix Super Markets Charities serves the communities surrounding Publix's  stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia in four  main areas of focus: youth, education, reducing hunger, and alleviating homelessness.  Jennifer Fagenbaum, Executive Director of Family Promise of South Sarasota County stated, “FPSSC’s  Bridge Housing and Open Doors programs meet an urgent need in South Sarasota County (Osprey,  Laurel, Nokomis, Venice, North Port, and Englewood). There are about 450 children enrolled in South  Sarasota County schools who have been identified as homeless (Schoolhouse Link). This number does  not take into account these students' younger, non-school age siblings, and the families who hide their  homeless circumstances for fear of being separated. All of the families served by FPSSC earned 200%  or less of the Federal Poverty Level. A single challenging life event like a job loss or chronic illness can  destroy a family’s fragile foundation, resulting in homelessness. When that happens, families lose  more than a home, they lose the security and stability every family needs and every child deserves. With the help of this grant from Publix Charities, Family Promise of South Sarasota County will be able  assist additional families in South Sarasota County through our Bridge Housing and Open Doors  Programs which assists families in remaining stably housed. Families have seen an unexpected rise in  costs over the last year and are often spending more than 50% of their income on housing costs per  month which is a drastic hardship on these families. We are truly thankful for Publix Charities for their  partnership with us to assist working families in this time of need.”