For All Faiths Food Bank (AFFB) truck drivers Michelle Collins, Jerri Fuentez and Jill McKenzie, their employment provides more than just a paycheck – it’s a fulfilling opportunity to help their neighbors who are experiencing hunger. The women clock in by 6 a.m. and drive up to 350 miles each week, delivering food to partner agencies, schools and AFFB’s own mobile pantries. 

Michelle worked with AFFB through COVID-19 and Hurricanes Ian and Idalia. “If there’s an emergency, I will be there. After Ian, as soon as they told us we could come back to work, I was there – driving through floodwaters to bring food and water to school shelters.”

“At All Faiths Food Bank, you can’t go home in a bad mood,” says Jerri. “You think, well, at least a kid got fed a good meal today. Or a family that received food will now have extra money to make a car payment or pay their car insurance. It’s a blessing to be able to help others.”

Jill notes, “While I’m driving around, people wave at me with their thumbs up. When I go to the grocery store, people come up to thank me and tell me we’re doing a great job in the community. It’s a wonderful feeling!”

Determination, empathy, courage and an unwavering belief that everyone deserves access to healthy foods are qualities the women of All Faiths Food Bank share. Together, the team remains steadfast in its mission to end the crisis of hunger in our community.

About All Faiths Food Bank

• Proudly serving the community since 1989
• The only food bank and largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties
• Recently expanded its focus from providing nutrition assistance to addressing the systemic, root-level causes of hunger.
• Women hold 43 of the 81 staff positions.
• Top organizational leaders are women, including President and CEO Nelle S. Miller, Board Chair Terri Vitale and three top senior leadership officers; additionally, numerous program, development, human resources, and communications leaders are women.
• No barriers to “non-traditional” roles, including truck drivers, operations staff, and data analysts.
• Named one of Florida’s Best Companies to Work For in 2023 by Florida Trend Magazine.

8171 Blaikie Court,
Sarasota, FL 34240
941.379.6333
AllFaithsFoodBank.org