As hunger deepens across our region, the compassion of our community continues to shine. Whenever Sarasota and DeSoto counties face a crisis — a government shutdown, a hurricane, a pandemic — people step forward to help their neighbors. That generosity is part of what makes this community extraordinary.

Right now, we are again relying on that spirit of giving. Visits to All Faiths Food Bank are up 26% over last year and, with up to 20,000 households losing SNAP benefits for two weeks, more families are turning to us to catch up and keep food on the table. And as living expenses and the cost of groceries continue to rise, we expect demand to remain high in the months to come.

In moments like these, one question comes up again and again: What’s the most effective way to help?

For many years, food drives and donation barrels provided an important portion of the food we distributed. We remain deeply grateful for every person who has ever dropped a can into a collection bin.

But today — with need surging and our capacity stretched — cash donations do far more to feed our community than donated food ever can.

Thanks to strong partnerships with farmers, manufacturers and national retailers, we can purchase large quantities of fresh, high-quality food at wholesale prices. That means every dollar donated stretches dramatically further than a dollar spent in a grocery store.

Monetary donations also allow our team to provide a balance of foods that follow USDA guidelines. With cash on hand, we can ensure families receive produce, dairy, protein, grains and pantry staples — and we can respond quickly to emergency needs while offering culturally preferred foods that honor the diversity of the communities we reach.

Food drives, while well-intentioned, are not always ideal for meeting today’s scale of hunger. Donated items must be stored, sorted and inspected for safety — and are often discarded if damaged or expired. This requires significant space, volunteer labor and time — resources that are already under enormous pressure.

Of course, if someone has food they are eager to donate — from a school collection, a business drive, or a pantry clean-out — we will always make sure it reaches neighbors who need it.

But if your goal is to make the greatest possible impact, particularly during this crisis, a financial gift is the single most powerful way to help. Cash allows us to buy the right food, in the right quantities, at the best prices, ensuring families receive nutritious, reliable support when they need it most.

No matter the amount, your generosity helps us stretch every dollar to feed more children, families, seniors and veterans in need in Sarasota and DeSoto counties.

Nelle S. Miller is the President and CEO of All Faiths Food Bank.