Together, we can make a difference!

Hi Suncoast Food and Wine Fest,


We’re excited to share some wonderful news with you!


At a recent awards luncheon, the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch proudly awarded $142,000 in grants to 36 deserving local nonprofits and other Rotary projects. These funds were raised through our 2024 Suncoast Food & Wine Fest – and YOU played a vital role in making it happen.


Our heartfelt thanks go to:

  • The generous sponsors who make these grants possible,
  • The 40+ amazing restaurants who showcased their talents and flavors,
  • The 2,000+ guests who came to sip, sample, and support,
  • And the dedicated Rotarians and volunteers who worked tirelessly to put on such an exciting and successful event.


The awards luncheon was a moving celebration of impact. As each nonprofit accepted their grant, we heard powerful stories of how their projects are changing lives—like filling 1,000 backpacks with food for children through All Faiths Food Bank, furnishing the new dining hall at Foundation for Dreams’ Dream Oaks Camp, and helping Good Samaritan Pharmacy & Health Services provide critical medications to those in need. More projects are listed below.


To date, the Suncoast Food & Wine Fest has given over $2.5 million back to the community—and we couldn’t do it without you.


We’re already looking forward to another great event this year—save the date for Saturday, November 1, 2025. Follow the Suncoast Food & Wine Fest Facebook channel for event info and updates. Hope to see you there!


With gratitude,

Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch

Suncoast Food & Wine Fest Committee

Grants were presented to:

All Faiths Food Bank Inc. – Backpack food program for children

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast Inc. – College readiness baskets for at-risk students

Big Waters Land Trust – Youth nature-based education program

Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County Inc. – Educational supplies for Great Futures Start Here program

Child Protection Center Inc. – Supervised visitation

Children First Inc. – Full Tummies, Flourishing Minds program

Children’s Guardian Fund Inc. – Summer camp for neglected children

Disaster Aid USA – Strengthen volunteering resources program

Easterseals Southwest Florida – Support for children with disabilities

Epilepsy Services of Southwest Florida Inc. – Medical services and neurology clinic

Feeding Empty Little Tummies Inc. – Weekend meals for children

Foundation for Dreams Inc. – Dream Oaks Camp dining hall furnishings

Freedom House, Bailes Consulting Services – New client welcome kits

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Inc. – Promise Fund

Good Samaritan Pharmacy & Health Services Inc. – Medication assistance program

Manatee County Habitat for Humanity – Homeownership for low-income families

Meals On Wheels of Sarasota – Meal service program

Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee Inc. – Summer food project for children

Mothers Helping Mothers Inc. – Welcome to the World project

Our Next Mission Inc. – Renovation of mobile homes for at-risk veterans

Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island Foundation Inc. – Learn to swim program

Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch – Books For Kids

Rotary Gift of Life of Florida Inc. – Cardiac treatment for children in developing countries

ShelterBox USA Inc. – Disaster relief shelter program

Sleep in Heavenly Peace Inc. – Beds for children

Stillpoint Mission Inc. – Children’s diaper program

Southwest Florida Honor Flight LLC – Veteran recognition flight to Washington, D.C.

Take Stock in Children of Manatee County Inc. – Mentoring program for at-risk children

Teen Court of Sarasota Inc. – Case management referrals from schools

The Florida Center for Early Childhood Inc. – Developmental therapy intervention

The Haven, Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities Inc. – Early intervention program for children with disabilities

The Roskamp Institute – Memory screening

The Sarasota Players Inc. – Portable rehearsal flooring

The Twig Cares Inc. – Clothing boutique for foster children

Tidewell Foundation Inc. – Blue Butterfly program for grieving children

Turning Point Community Coalition on Homelessness – Autoclave program

 

rotarylwr@gmail.com | lakewoodranch-rotary.com

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