Hunger has no place on the list of things kids should be experiencing this summer! | |
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On Fridays during the summer months, The Food Bank of Manatee, one of our PLUS programs, provides Food4Families bags at summer Break Spots to families in need of vital nutrition. These bags contain breakfast, lunch, and dinner to feed a family of five for two or more days. That is 30 meals—keeping families fed through the weekend. In the Summer of 2024, our goal is to provide at least 22,000 meals each week for children and their families, right here in Manatee County. During the nine-week summer break, that is nearly 200,000 meals!
Of the 50,000 students in Manatee County who will not have access to school meals when classes get out for summer break, there are nearly 20,000 students who are at critical risk of food-insecurity this summer. That’s where The Food Bank of Manatee steps in to fill the gaps of those nutritional needs. Please give today to feed kids and families this summer!
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For the Dogs! (And the Cats!) | |
Did you know that our Home-delivered Meals Clients who have cats and dogs also receive pet food, two times a month, at no charge? We provide this complimentary service to our clients because we know that if we don’t, our clients will share the meal we deliver for them to eat, with their furry companions. We want our clients to consume as much nutrition as possible to keep them healthy and strong. Thanks to fantastic support from Bishop SPCA and other faithful donors, we are able to feed hundreds of pets each year! We are grateful for our community partnerships that allow us to #FeedManatee… both pets and people! | |
2024 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive a Success! | |
On Saturday, May 11th the United States Postal Service held their annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Residents were encouraged to leave non-perishable food items in a bag near their mailbox. Postal workers collected the non-perishable food items while on their routes. The Food Bank of Manatee, a PLUS program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, received the food collected from zip codes 34217, 34218, 34219, 34221, 34222, and 34251. We are grateful for this support because The Food Bank of Manatee is an independent food bank relying 100% on the support of the community to meet the need of Manatee County residents. Thank you to everyone who donated nonperishable food items, to the postal workers who collected all the donations, and to the volunteers who helped unload the postal workers trucks and load the food into our Food Bank vehicles. Over 15,844 pounds of food was collected. We appreciate everyone who participated in this event! Together, #WeFeedManatee! | |
Mother’s Day Shortcake and Teacup Planters | |
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On Friday, May 10th, clients at Daybreak Adult Day Center kicked off Mother’s Day weekend in delicious fashion! The day started with Danishes and coffee followed by a heartwarming Mother’s Day movie. Every client got involved in crafting beautiful centerpieces, adding their own special touch to the day. To top it all off, clients enjoyed scrumptious, fresh strawberry shortcake.
To learn more about our respite care program at Daybreak Adult Day Center, click here.
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"Nuts" About Art at Friendship Dining | |
Crafts and creativity are usually on hand at the Friendship Dining program. Last month, friends made cute beach and sea scenes from pistachio shells. In addition to arts & crafts, participants in the Friendship Dining program play games, do physical activities, enjoy music, and learn from educational lessons. Participants also enjoy a hot, nutritious meal at each gathering. | |
The Friendship Dining program is a great opportunity for the people of the community to connect, engage in fun activities, participate in new experiences, and enjoy a nutritious meal. This program is growing and we are always looking for new friends to join! Participants must register for program. If you are interested in learning more about this, or any of our Friendship Dining locations, please call 941-747-4655. | |
Current & Upcoming Events: | |
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The Nutrition Services Center Is Available for Your Graduation Party or Other Events!
This beautiful and affordable venue is close to LECOM Park where many local graduation ceremonies are held! The Center is also a great venue for a birthday party, retirement party, or baby shower! For more information or to schedule a tour, call us at 941-747-4655 and ask for Melissa at extension 2116.
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Empty Bowls Painting Party
Volunteers are needed to help us paint bowls for our upcoming Empty Bowls event in November. Bowl Painting Parties will be held on the following dates and times:
- Tuesday, June 4th | 9:30 am - 11:30 am
- Wednesday, June 12th | 10 am - Noon
- Wednesday, June 19th | 10 am - Noon
- Wednesday, June 26th | 10 am - Noon
Registration is required to ensure there are ample supplies available. Secure your spot if you wish to attend by using the link below.
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If you are a local artist who can donate bowls to this great cause, please contact Amy in the Development office at 941-747-4655 x1238. | |
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Host a food drive in your office or neighborhood!
Make it a “Cereal"-ously fun competition!
During the summer months, many children who rely on school meals for their daily nutrition face food insecurity. Please help our children this summer by donating cereal!
Drop off your non-perishable food items at all Manatee County Goodwill locations, Manatee County Public Library locations, the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Lakewood Ranch Office, or anywhere you see yellow Food Bank of Manatee donation barrels. Donations can also be dropped off at:
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Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee
811 23rd Ave. East, Bradenton, FL 34208
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Daybreak Adult Day Center
10920 State Road 70 E, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
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Food4Families Summer Distribution
On Fridays during the summer months, The Food Bank of Manatee, a PLUS program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, provides Food4Families bags at summer Break Spots to families in need of vital nutrition. These bags contain breakfast, lunch, and dinner to feed a family of five for two or more days.
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The Food Bank of Manatee distributes at the below locations
Every Friday, through July 26.
Manatee Mobile Home Park
11:00am-12:00pm
2204 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, FL 34208
Turner Chapel
12:00pm-1:00pm
317 11th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221
Pride Park
1:00pm-2:00pm
6032 9th St East, Bradenton, FL 34203
Lincoln Park
1:30pm-2:30pm
501 17th Street East, Palmetto, FL 34221
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Donor Spotlight: Manatee County Government Food Drive and Bowl Painting | |
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Manatee County employees are hosting their "Nourish Our Neighbors" food drive and collecting non-perishable food items to help The Food Bank of Manatee restock the shelves. Non-perishable food can be dropped off at many convenient locations throughout the county, including all Manatee County libraries, the LITtle Discovery Center, GT Bray, Palmetto Dog Adoption Center, Cat Town and the Manatee County Downtown Administration Building. For a complete list of drop-off locations, address and hours of operation, please go to mymanatee.org/food.
Manatee County employees also came to the main Meals on Wheels PLUS campus to paint bowls for this year's Empty Bowls event. Thank you Manatee County employees for supporting our life-saving work!
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City of Palmetto Cereal Drive | | |
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Thank you to all the City of Palmetto employees and family members who donated cereal to help feed children this summer! A total of 53 big boxes of cereal were donated. Thank you all for your kindness and for helping #FeedManatee!
The Palmetto Police Department will keep a donation barrel throughout the summer so that anyone in the community can drop off cereal or any other non-perishable food item! Donations can be made at: 1115 10th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221 during normal business hours – just look for the yellow food donation barrel!
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Community Spotlight: Senior Connection Center | |
Staff, volunteers, and guests of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee were on hand on Tuesday, May 21st at the Senior Connection Center’s Rise and Shine breakfast and awards ceremony. The event featured inspirational stories about seniors throughout the Tampa Bay area who are making a difference through volunteerism and philanthropy. This year, our very own Larry Breidenbach was selected for the Salt & Pepper Award in the Arts and Entertainment Category. Larry regularly volunteers to sing for the clients at Daybreak Adult Day Center, spreading joy through song. Meals on Wheels PLUS of Mantee was acknowledged for receiving a grant to provide hurricane resources to our Friendship Dining Center clients. All in all, it was a fantastic day to celebrate our amazing people and programs. | |
Volunteer Spotlight: Celebrating Marlena | |
Our oldest volunteer, Marlena, celebrated her 90th birthday in May! She has been serving at Meals on Wheels PLUS for over 33 years, and she spent part of her birthday delivering meals to Home-delivered Meals clients. Thank you for your dedication and inspiration, Marlena! | |
Food Distribution Programs |June 2024 | |
If you are a senior needing meals delivered to your home, we can help! Our Home-delivered Meal program is available to Manatee County residents. | |
The Food Bank of Manatee, a PLUS program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, provides non-perishable food items to local food pantries and soup kitchens. | |
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Our Mobile Produce Pantry will be out and about in the community providing fresh and nutritious produce free of charge.
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Thanks to our 2024 Sponsors! | | | | |
