Caritas

Caritas was established during the summer of 1980 by Rev. Jerome A. Carosella, pastor of St. Martha Church (1973-1986).

Caritas is an outreach ministry that provides assistance with utility payments, food, transportation, prescriptions, and work attire for thousands of Sarasota residents per year in acute financial need. The new Herrig Caritas Center, located at 1645 Fruitville Road, was dedicated in 2018. The program is a joint effort of five downtown churches: First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Church of the Redeemer, St. Martha Catholic Church and First United Methodist Church.

The Center is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and can be contacted at 941-366-5620. The Caritas Food Pantry is located in the First Baptist Church on Main Street (pantry window located on Adelia Avenue) and is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to Noon.

If you are interested in becoming a Caritas volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.

Click on Sarasota County Assistance Programs for information on other agencies that might be able to assist.