HIV/AIDS Ministries

Storytelling brings more food to pantry

 

Sarasota--A good story can go a long way.

 

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County Nonprofit Resource Center held a “You’re the Story” grant writing contest in December for area non-profit organizations. Not only did this opportunity afford local organizations a chance to increase awareness about their good work in the community, but the winners also received a $500 grant.

 

The Community Foundation picked a winner in each of the three categories which included stories about a program, a volunteer, and a donor. In the volunteer category, Catholic Charities HIV/AIDS Ministries Caseworker Keith Backhaus won first prize for his moving tale about Bethesda House Volunteer Robert William.

 

Congratulations to Keith for a job well done! Bethesda House, a community outreach program of Catholic Charities HIV/AIDS Ministries, plans to use the grant dollars to compensate for the significant increase in requests for food from needy clients. The shelves of the food pantry are emptying out much sooner in the month and it is difficult to keep up with the demand.  

 

For information about how you can help stock the shelves at Bethesda House of Catholic Charities, please call Director Sandy Gallagher at 941-366-1886.

 

To read Keith’s story click HERE.

 

 

Photo #1:  The empty shelves of the food pantry at Bethesda House.

 

Photo #2: Keith Backhaus, Catholic Charities HIV/AIDS Caseworker, accepts his award at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.