All Faiths Food Bank planning 20th annual Bowls of Hope
All Faiths Food Bank will present the 20th annual Bowls of Hope fundraiser to fight food insecurity in Sarasota and DeSoto counties on Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. at Ed Smith Stadium (2700 12th St., Sarasota).
Each year, Bowls of Hope attendees choose up to three signature dishes prepared by dozens of the community’s finest restaurants and caterers and take home handcrafted bowls – all donated by local potters, woodworkers, artists and students. This year's event is chaired by Ruth Hochman.
“As our neighbors do their best to make ends meet with prices continuing to rise for food, gas and housing ... we look forward to gathering once again as a community to support local businesses and raise funds to help families,” All Faiths Food Bank president Nelle Miller
said. “We are grateful to the Baltimore Orioles, our restaurant partners and all who support the event through sponsorships and attendance.”
General admission tickets are $40/adults, $15/children (12-under). Individual tickets and sponsorships are available by visiting allfaithsfoodbank.org/bowls-of-hope. For more information, contact Jeremy Lisitza at jeremyl@allfaithsfoodbank.org or 941-549-8142.
Inaugural 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Nathan Benderson Park
Nathan Benderson Park (5851 Nathan Benderson Circle) in Sarasota will serve as a place of remembrance, reflection and community connection on Friday as residents, first responders, active-duty military, families and visitors come together for the inaugural 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb & Day of Remembrance.
The free event, presented by Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, will take place from 8 a.m. to noon at the Finish Tower at Nathan Benderson Park. Participants of all ages are invited to walk, climb or run the six flights of stairs on both sides of the Finish Tower, with the option to continue climbing 17 times to represent the height firefighters and first responders reached inside the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Battalion Chief James Mattera of the Sarasota County Fire Department will serve as Master of Ceremonies and speak at the start of the honor guard presentation. Visit nathanbendersonpark.org/event/9-11-memorial-stair-climb.
Sarasota police chief named to national research board
Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche has been named secretary of the board of directors of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), the nation’s leading independent research organization focused on critical issues in policing.
PERF, founded in 1976, promotes best practices in policing. Issues include community policing, technology, crime reduction strategies and other challenges facing law enforcement agencies. Troche will join law enforcement leaders from across the country who help guide the Washington, D.C.-based organization’s work and contribute to the future of policing.
“I’m honored to serve ... alongside law enforcement leaders from across the country who are committed to advancing our profession,” Troche said. “Challenges facing law enforcement do not stop at the borders of our communities. Sharing ideas, learning from one another and using research and proven practices to make our communities safer benefits all of us.”
Other law enforcement leaders on PERF’s board include Chief John Drake, Nashville Police Department; Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police Department; Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Philadelphia Police Department; Commissioner Robert Tracy, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department; and Chief Ana Lalley, Elgin (IL) Police Department.
Rockin’ Reader program seeking volunteers for 1-on-1 sessions
The Rockin’ Reader program, an initiative of the TeamUp Volunteer & Partnership Council, is seeking volunteers to meet with a kindergarten student for 30-minute, one-on-one read-aloud sessions at participating Sarasota County public elementary schools.
In 2025-26, the program welcomed more than 165 volunteers who read to over 280 students in 34 classrooms in eight schools throughout the county. Volunteers attend free training sessions and can choose the date and location that works best for them. Adults of all ages are welcome.
The 2026 training sessions will be held on Sept. 17 at Gulf Gate Elementary School in Sarasota; Sept. 30 at Taylor Ranch Elementary in Venice; Oct. 14, at Gocio Elementary in Sarasota; and Nov. 18 at Fruitville Elementary in Sarasota. All sessions are 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. To register for a training session and learn more, visit teamupvpcouncil.org.
Around and about
· The Sarasota Players has launched a six-month fundraising campaign to raise $500,000 for renovations to its new home, Payne Park Auditorium. Corporate, business, and community members can all contribute directly to the longevity of Sarasota’s first performing arts organization. Information about naming opportunities is upcoming; new seats are already available for $250. To learn more, visit theplayers.org/PayneParkSprint; contact The Sarasota Players at 941-365-2494; email Director of Development Amy Gorman at amyg@theplayers.org.
· The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County will host a nonpartisan election information fair on Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Shannon Staub Library in North Port. Talks will include Sarasota County Ballot Referendums and Florida Ballot Amendments. lwvsrq.org/events.
· Gulf Islands Ferry recently expanded service to Coquina Beach at 1465 Gulf Drive S. in Bradenton Beach. For more information about ferry service between Bradenton (Riverwalk Pier, 452 Third Ave. W.) and Anna Maria Island, visit bradentongulfislands.com/gulf-islands-ferry.
· Sarasota Memorial’s Kolschowsky Research & Education Institute is enrolling stroke survivors in a new national study testing a therapy designed to improve arm and hand function. Info: Sarasota Memorial at 941-917-2225; researchinstitute@smh.com; clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05301140.
· Families interested in learning more about Lily Preschool and Easterseals Academy are invited to attend an enrollment fair on Oct. 17 from 9:30 a.m.-noon at Easterseals Southwest Florida, 350 Braden Ave., Sarasota. Info: 941-355-7637; casemanagement@easterseals-swfl.org; easterseals-swfl.org/our-programs.
Submissions by Amanda Heisey, Sharon Kunkel, Marnie Buchsbaum, Genevieve Judge, Scott Ferguson, Keenan Singleton, Nancy Morrison, Kim Savage, and Sharon Kunkel.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Tickets on sale for All Faiths' 20th annual Bowls of Hope fundraiser
