Hunger isn’t always visible. It’s not just something that happens “somewhere else” or to “other people.” Right now, families in our own neighborhoods are feeling the strain as grocery prices stay high and housing costs continue to rise. With the recent disruption in SNAP and EBT benefits, many households who were already stretched thin suddenly have nothing to bridge the gap. Food insecurity is increasing in places and among people you would never expect, and more neighbors than ever are turning to local food pantries for support.
Do You Need Food Assistance in Venice?
There are a number of resources in Venice for food assistance, but the change in our community has to start with the people who live here. If you are looking for a food pantry in Venice, I’ve got you covered!
- Do you have a vegetable garden or a fruit tree?
- Did you purchase too many groceries before a trip that will go to waste?
- Are you a snowbird or visiting for a short time and want to give away the groceries you didn’t use before you head back home?
- Are you looking to barter and/or trade from your garden, eggs, honey or some other resource you make at home?
If you have extra food and want to share it with the community, you can join our group to find someone who needs it!
Food Banks in Venice
All Faith’s Food Bank is also a fantastic resource for those in need of food assistance with several locations throughout Sarasota county that include fresh produce, meats, dairy, breads and more.
How Do I Get Food Assistance in Venice?
In order to receive assistance, all you need to provide is a valid ID. You will fill out a form or two the first time you visit but after that, your information will remain on file. Many of these locations also have other items like clothing, hygiene items and household items as well. If financial assistance is needed for utilities, mortgage or rent assistance, bus passes, etc., some of these centers have the ability to either help you or refer you to someone who can.
All Faiths Food Bank
All Faiths Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization serving Sarasota and DeSoto counties. They partner with local pantries and mobile distributions to provide meals, fresh produce, and resources to children, seniors, veterans and families facing food insecurity.
Address: 8171 Blaikie Court, Sarasota, FL 34240
Phone: 941-379-6333
How to Receive Food: Use the “Find Help” distribution locator to discover a site near Venice or register once and join a mobile pantry.
Website: https://allfaithsfoodbank.org/
Lift Church
Lift Church on Center Road, conveniently located next to the YMCA, warmly opens its food pantry every Monday from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This welcoming ministry provides a generous variety of meats, fresh produce, canned goods, and more—ensuring anyone who visits can find the nourishment they need. With dedicated volunteers on hand and a heart for serving the community, Lift Church is committed to offering food assistance in an uplifting and compassionate environment.
South County Food Pantry
South County Food Pantry is a volunteer-run organization located at 121 Warfield Avenue in Venice, providing grocery assistance to individuals and families living in Venice, Nokomis, Laurel and Osprey. They offer shelf-stable pantry items along with fresh produce and frozen proteins when available. Bring your driver’s license or proof of address to the distribution center. You will also need your birthdate and the birthdates for everyone living in your household. It’s that simple!
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
How to Receive Food: Walk-in during open hours, no appointment required.
Phone: 941-408-2911
Website: https://southcountyfoodpantry.com/
211 is a free, confidential helpline and web-based resource that connects individuals with a wide range of community support services and programs. Available across the United States, it is often operated in partnership with United Way and other local organizations. By dialing 2-1-1 or visiting the 211 website, people can quickly find help with housing, food, childcare, employment assistance, mental health services, and more—ensuring easy access to vital resources in times of need.
Lasagna Love
Lasagna Love is an incredible volunteer based organization that believes “that kindness, however big or small, is the key to strengthening our communities.” No matter what the reason, be it physical, mental or emotional… sometimes people just need help with a hot meal. You can request a lasagna made by someone in your community that just wants to show you some Lasagna Love!
Snack bags for kids
Monday – Thursday : 10AM – 6PM Friday – Saturday: 10AM- 5PM
Elsie Quirk Public Library
Fruitville Public Library
Gulf Gate Public Library
Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Public Library
North Sarasota Public Library
North Port Public Library
Shannon Staub Public Library
Venice Public Library
Monday – Thursday: 10AM – 8PM Friday-Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
Selby Public Library
Meals on Wheels of Sarasota
If you live in Sarasota County from the Gulf of Mexico and east to the Sarasota County line, University Parkway and south to Albee Farm Road, you are within the delivery range for Meals on Wheels.
Additional factors contributing to eligibility may include:
- Being homebound
- Unable to prepare meals or have a means to prepare meals
- Recent hospital stay or ongoing health problems
- Living Alone
Call 941-366-6693 or click the button below to sign up and have meals delivered.
Best Options for Groceries in Venice
Why I Choose Aldi:
Since the start of the stay at home order in 2020, I’ve relied on grocery pickup or delivery services. As a diabetic with multiple autoimmune disorders and a daughter with asthma, this was important to me. In addition, I’ve learned that by buying my groceries online, I am less likely to have impulse buys that lead to me being over budget. Using Instacart, I’ve found that with shopping at Aldi, there are certain items like milk, eggs, cheese and meat that are simply less expensive than at other stores! However, there are items that we are brand loyal to that Aldi does not carry and that’s when we use Walmart Grocery. Unlike shopping with Publix, Aldi has the same low prices you expect when ordering online!
Why I Choose Walmart Grocery:
As I mentioned, there are certain products that Aldi does not carry. In that case, we order from Walmart grocery. We also have a Walmart+ membership that not only saves us the delivery fee for groceries but also saves us money on gas, free shipping on items we buy online and if we were to shop in-store, there’s an app for you to scan your items as you’re shopping and check out! Click the image below to get $10 off your first purchase!
Earn Cash Back on Groceries With Ibotta
Another way to stretch your grocery budget is by using Ibotta! Ibotta syncs with your Instacart and your Walmart Grocery app to find cashback offers on things you were already going to buy! I’ve been on this app since Thanksgiving… and I’ve already made over $200 in cashback. It gets deposited right into my PayPal account. If you don’t have PayPal, you can redeem your cashback into your bank account or as gift cards to different places like Amazon, Walmart, Jersey Mike’s, Lowes, etc.
Help Us Keep The Venice Foodies Going
Venice Foodies started as a way to celebrate local flavor—but it’s grown into something much more: a community, a connection point, and a space where small businesses, family farms, and real people shine. Behind the scenes, it’s just us—the Reinbolt family—pouring time, love, and energy into every post, every recommendation, every shared story.
If you’ve found value in what we do, whether it’s discovering your new favorite bite or just feeling a little more rooted in this place we all call home, we invite you to support us with a financial gift.
It’s not required. It’s not expected. But it does make a meaningful impact—and helps us keep doing what we love, for the community we love.
