Sarah Lansky, “Curbside Suncoast Food & Drink To Go” creator, talks about how the Facebook Group got started and exploded in helping support local restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At the time this crazy whirlwind started, I was still employed as a wine sales rep for the Sarasota, Manatee area. I was talking with one of my accounts, and he mentioned they were trying to come up with a “curbside” menu to keep going, and it dawned on me that Sarasota-Manatee needs a FB group for the independent restaurants to get the word out. These independent businesses, unfortunately, don’t have access to marketing resources like the national brands or their franchises do.   

I was trying to be proactive for my accounts and others, not realizing that it would take on a life of its own. I lost my job a couple of days after I started the group, so it has become almost a full-time job (pro bono of course!), for both myself and my husband John, who has been helping me monitor member requests and posts. 

It started as Curbside SRQ, but then I got requests for Bradenton, Ellenton, Venice, Osprey, Nokomis, and it transformed into the Curbside Suncoast.  I am fortunate that two very caring members, Kevin Angell and Dawn Imbruno have also volunteered their time, talents and resources to help as well. Kevin (a former reporter SNN) is going to the businesses and shooting a 2min spot for the group page, and Dawn (co-owner Cock & Bull) is working her magic behind the scenes, creating a promotion to drive business to these amazing businesses.  

It’s a testament to how the community comes together to support each other in both the good times and the bad. “