Where to Find Free Food in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

Florida’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) supports millions. In fiscal year 2024, an average of about 2.98 million Floridians—roughly 12 percent to 13 percent of the state—received benefits each month. Locally, the most recent county-level counts show that about 36,680 Manatee residents and 26,404 Sarasota residents participated in 2022. Current reporting indicates the Manatee total at risk from this disruption is closer to 40,000 people as of early November 2025.

The USDA funds SNAP, and because of the current federal government shutdown, Florida’s Department of Children and Families says it cannot issue November benefits. Beneficiaries may still see eligibility notices, but deposits to EBT cards won’t occur until appropriations resume. Federal courts have ordered the administration to tap into emergency contingency funds—roughly $4.6 billion—to issue partial benefits, but that reserve covers only about half of a typical month’s payments and many recipients face delay or uncertainty.

We’ve put together a list of organizations and nonprofits working hard to fill in the gaps. Many of these groups are also accepting donations. Please check with each provider, as organized meal-service schedules and drive-through distributions can vary by day and availability.

Downtown and North Sarasota

Meals on Wheels Sarasota 

421 N. Lime Ave.

All Faiths Food Bank Food Finder

Serving Sarasota and DeSoto counties

Friendship Baptist Church

5700 Palmer Blvd.

Roy McBean Boys and Girls Club

1790 21st St.

First Presbyterian Church

2050 Oak St.

Second Chance, Last Opportunity

1933 Dr Martin Luther King Way

Dollar Dynasty

1922 Dr. Martin Luther King Way

Harvest House 

3650 17th St.

Salvation Army Center of Hope

1400 10th St.

Islamic Society of Sarasota and Bradenton  

4350 N. Lockwood Ridge Road

Northminster Presbyterian Church

3131 61st St.

Senior Friendship Centers, Inc.

1888 Brother Geenen Way

St Jude Catholic Church

3930 17th St.

Truvine Missionary Baptist Church

1947 31st St.

Veteran Helpers  

5711 83rd Terrace E.

Bethlehem Baptist Church

1680 18th St.

Bon Samaritain Community Outreach

6370 15th St. E.

Caritas Food Ministry – First Sarasota Baptist Church

1661 Main St., Suite 200

South Sarasota

Community Assistance Ministry

4365 S.R. 776, Venice

Center of Hope

2395 Shamrock Drive, Venice

South County Food Pantry 

121 Warfield Ave., Venice

Laurel Civic Association 

509 Collins Road

Englewood Methodist Church 

700 E. Dearborn St.