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Sarasota News Leader November 23, 2012 Donations still are being accepted, Biehler pointed out, as the program also will purchase $10 gift cards from Publix to distribute to the food pantries for their staffs to divide among clients for the remainder of the holiday sea- son. Biehler noted that the need for assistance con- tinues to grow in the area. "We've seen a lot of people who have given to the food pantries in the past … are coming to the food pantries themselves now," he added. Mayor Suzanne Atwell of Sarasota told the News Leader this week, "The playing field has been leveled on all of us," concurring with Biehler about the spreading need in the com- munity. She added that the Mayors Feed the Hungry Program "stands out as a wonderful opportunity to give." Page 13 Program representatives are especially con- cerned about rumors indicating many more people will be losing full-time jobs in the com- ing weeks, Biehler said. Reports have been circulating about big companies moving full- time employees to part-time status as a way to avoid paying new healthcare costs associated with the Affordable Health Care Act. "It really puts a dent in their monthly income," he said, if workers lose full-time pay and ben- efits. Atwell said she will be manning a booth at the Sarasota Farmers Market downtown in mid-December to encourage people to sup- port the Mayors Feed the Hungry Program. People may go online at www.mayorsfeedthe- hungry.org to give a donation, or they may mail a check to Mayors Feed the Hungry Pro- gram, PO Box 1992, Sarasota, FL 34230. % Rental trucks stand ready for the tons of food donated to help low-income families enjoy Thanksgiving.