Sarasota area food bank chooses prominent community leader as new CEO

All Faiths Food Bank, one of the most noted and active hunger-relief nonprofits in the region, named prominent community leader Nelle Miller as president and CEO.

Founded in 1989, All Faiths is the only food bank and the largest hunger-relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties. It had $20.64 million in revenue in fiscal 2021, according to public tax filings. 

Miller succeeds longtime CEO Sandra Frank, who announced her intention to retire in March. She will assume her responsibilities on Jan 3.

The food bank says that as president and CEO, Miller will actualize a comprehensive vision — set forth by Frank — for the central role that the food bank plays in providing healthy solutions to end hunger in its service area, across Florida and within the Feeding America network.

Miller returns to All Faiths Food Bank after having served on the board from 2016 to 2021, including chair from 2018 to 2020, during which time she assisted in the development of a succession plan for the organization, food bank officials say.

"Hunger and nutrition need to be at the nexus of every conversation that we have about making sure that our entire community has what they need to thrive and move forward in their lives in a healthy, respectful and equitable way," says Miller in the statement. 

Miller has an extensive history in the community on nonprofit and civic boards. She's currently serving as interim CEO of Unidos Now. Last year, she was interim president and CEO of JFCS of the Suncoast. Miller is currently board chair of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County and is an advisory board member for the Boxser Diversity Initiative.

Additionally, she has been board chair of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center and the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

All Faiths Food Bank works with nearly 200 agencies and programs throughout the community. All Faiths says it is rated "four stars" by Charity Navigator and is a member of the Feeding America and Feeding Florida networks.