Sadly hunger hurts our most vulnerable: children, seniors and veterans. According to the local ALICE study, in 2018, 46 percent of households in Florida could not afford basic needs such as housing, childcare, food, health care, and transportation. ALICE refers to the population in our community that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained Employed. The ALICE population represents those among us who are working, but due to childcare costs, transportation challenges, high cost of living and so much more are living paycheck to paycheck.

You can read the full 2018 local ALICE study on financial hardship in Sarasota and DeSoto communities here.

38% of households in Sarasota struggle to afford their basic needs

68% of households in DeSoto struggle to afford their basic needs

In 2020, food insecurity increased significantly for many. You can read about the impact of COVID on the ALICE population here.