Surrounded by white sandy beaches, rich cultural experiences and exceptional dining, our community appears to have an abundance of opportunity. Yet for hundreds of our neighbors, access to a nutritious meal is not guaranteed. Many are unable to prepare or afford healthy food, making meal assistance an essential source of support.

Stepping in to address this critical need are the dedicated volunteers at Meals on Wheels of Sarasota, who ensure residents receive heart-healthy, nutritious meals every day. The nonprofit coordinates a diverse range of volunteer opportunities, including meal delivery, regular wellness check-ins, kitchen operations, administrative support, event coordination and community outreach.

Carey Houghton has been volunteering with Meals on Wheels since 2019. “Their work is so vital to a diverse and often distressed community, those I would not have met otherwise,” she explains.

Carey's commitment to her Meals on Wheels clients goes beyond simply delivering food. Having served the same individuals since she started, she's built meaningful relationships. One client, named Greg, has always been polite and friendly when she comes to visit. When Carey discovered Greg was sleeping on unwashed sheets due to a broken washing machine in his very modest one-room rental where he only had a bucket for hand-washing, she took immediate action. She purchased fresh sheets, pillows and a new pair of shoes for him. Greg had fallen on hard times after back surgery wiped out his savings and now relies on a walker with limited mobility. This act of purchasing simple items brought him comfort, improved his health and restored his dignity. For Carey, witnessing the lack of modern conveniences among many recipients, like Greg, is a weekly reminder of how fortunate she is. “I’m happy to volunteer my time to remind me of my good fortune in life,” she says.

If you are interested in supporting Meals on Wheels of Sarasota, visit mealsonwheelsofsarasota.org 

Pictured: Carey Hougton. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

As Second Heart Homes continues to expand its impact throughout the Sarasota community, the nonprofit—which now operates 14 homes serving 86 formerly homeless men and women—is strengthening its leadership team with five new board members, a new annual fund and growth manager, and additional property management and case management staff. 

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently welcomed Margaret Karakashian as the organization’s new general counsel, Michelle Maslowski as its new director of philanthropy and Helena Von Otto as a new philanthropic advisor. Karakashian has a background in corporate and tax law; before joining the foundation, she worked in private practice, advising clients on a range of business and tax matters. Maslowski, meanwhile, has nearly two decades of experience as a senior development leader in the nonprofit sector and most recently served as a fundraising consultant with Carter, advising nonprofit organizations on fundraising strategy, campaign planning, major gifts and donor engagement. Lastly, Von Otto brings decades of experience in sales, marketing, financial services and the nonprofit sector to her role; she most recently worked as an independent nonprofit consultant. For more information, visit cfsarasota.org or call 941-955-3000. 

On Nov. 12, Sarasota will welcome one of the most influential trailblazers in American history through Walk Forward: The Ruby Bridges Sarasota Initiative by bringing Ruby Bridges, one of the first Black children to integrate an all-white elementary school in the South, to Sarasota. The initiative will feature a public town hall with Ruby Bridges at Booker High School's Visual and Performing Arts Center, where attendees will hear firsthand from the woman whose courage at just 6 years old helped change the course of American history. This community-wide educational experience is designed to inspire courage, character, and civic engagement among youth and adults. Community organizations, businesses and individuals are invited to become sponsors to help make this educational experience possible while creating a lasting impact across our region. To learn more about Walk Forward: The Ruby Bridges Sarasota Initiative or to become a sponsor, visit engage.embracingourdifferences.org/ruby-bridges/. 

For the seventh consecutive year, Beachside Hospitality Group is proud to launch its annual Amazon Wish List Give Back initiative, a program designed to support local educators as they prepare their classrooms with supplies for the school year ahead. Beachside Hospitality will be gifting a total of $12,000 for this year’s program. The giveaway kicked off on July 21, and 48 winners will be announced on July 31. Beachside Hospitality Group owns and operates over 10 restaurant brands across Florida, with a focus on waterfront dining experiences. Teachers are encouraged to share their Amazon wish lists by commenting on a designated post on the Facebook page of the restaurant location within the respective county they teach in. The deadline to submit is July 30. For more information on Beachside Hospitality Group, visit www.bshgrp.com.   

This summer, eight members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto  Counties' Cultural Immersion Program traveled abroad for 11 days of cultural exploration, community service,  leadership development, and unforgettable memories.  To learn more about the impact of Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, visit bgcsdc.org. To learn more about The Club’s teen programs, visit theclubsdc.org 

August 26 is National Women’s Equality Day, commemorating the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted many women in the United States the right to vote. All women were not included in the right to vote until the Voting Rights Act in 1965. To mark the occasion, the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is partnering with the Leagues of Women Voters of Sarasota and Manatee counties to host an Equality Day Luncheon on Wednesday, August 26, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at The Grove, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch. To learn more go to mywrc.org/empoweredadvocacy/ or call (941) 256-9721. 

Growing older can bring new health challenges for anyone. But for many LGBTQ+ older adults, decades of stigma, discrimination and social isolation have created additional barriers to finding trusted healthcare and support. A new $20,000 grant from the Susan Terry Foundation will help Senior Friendship Centers bridge that gap through expanded HIV prevention education, healthcare navigation and community connections. The grant will support Senior Friendship Centers' Older Adult Access & HIV Prevention initiative, a collaborative effort designed to connect LGBTQ+ older adults with affirming healthcare providers, HIV prevention education, navigation assistance and community resources. The initiative is intended to reduce barriers to care while helping participants build lasting connections to trusted health and support services.  

Sarasota High School Varsity and JV football players recently traded the football field for pool, ping pong, dancing, and competitive games of Rummikub during three visits with older adults at Senior Friendship Centers’ Sarasota Activity Center. The final visit took place on Wednesday, July 22. The visits brought together two generations that may not ordinarily have opportunities to spend meaningful time together. Players joined activities, listened to members’ stories and discovered shared interests in sports, school and life experiences. During one visit, the players also surprised members with individually wrapped bags of cookies. 

Lakeview Village, a new 25-unit affordable housing project being spearheaded by Harvest House, has received a recent financial boost: Gulf Coast Community Foundation and its generous donors are providing a $500,000 matching challenge; every donation made toward the Lakeview Village campaign will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $500,000. Harvest House is working in partnership with One Stop Housing on Lakeview Village; the project is being funded in part by the Resilient SRQ CDBG-DR (Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery) program as well as other foundations and generous donors. There will be 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units available, with priority being given to educators, social workers and vulnerable seniors. Lakeview Village won't just provide North Sarasota residents with affordable housing - it will also provide a new revenue stream to support Harvest House's work to provide supportive/affordable housing, addiction recovery programs, and food security efforts, for years to come. 

Pictured: A rendering of the future Lakeview Village, which will include 25 units of affordable rental housing in North Sarasota Rendering provided by Harvest House.

Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) is now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 Gulf Coast Board Institute (GCBI), its board governance training program for new and experienced nonprofit board members. Applications are open through Monday, August 17. The Institute provides interactive, high-level training designed to strengthen nonprofit board governance and help participants build the knowledge and practical skills needed for effective board service. The program is part of Gulf Coast's Invest in Incredible (i3) initiative, which supports nonprofit organizations by strengthening leadership and organizational effectiveness. If selected, cohort members will participate in four training sessions at no charge beginning Friday, October 2 at Gulf Coast's Sarasota Philanthropy Center. Topics discussed will include nonprofit board governance fundamentals, financial and legal oversight, fundraising and resource development, and other best practices. Current nonprofit board members are encouraged to apply, though prospective board members will also be considered. For more information, visit GulfCoastCF.org/GCBI. 

Position your organization as a leader in Sarasota and Manatee’s nonprofit community through SRQ Magazine’s IN CONVERSATION special feature. This October issue will spotlight nonprofit professionals sharing the ideas, strategies and innovations driving meaningful community change. Showcase your expertise and inspire readers with your organization’s story. Reserve your space by August 7, 2026, and request more information today. 

Space Closing August 7, 2026

Click for details.