The Food Bank of Manatee Receives First Crop of Fresh Vegetables from the University of Florida/IFAS Manatee County Master Gardener Volunteer Program | |
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Former Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee Board Chair, Bambi Forristall took initiative to connect local community gardeners with The Food Bank of Manatee, a PLUS program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. As a participant in the Master Gardener class, she acted on the connection between growing food and getting that food into the hands of those who can really benefit from it in our community. As a result, in February, volunteers from the University of Florida/IFAS Manatee County Master Gardener Volunteer Program gleaned their first donation to The Food Bank of Manatee. They donated 3 pounds of swiss chard, 8 pounds of parsley, and 9 pounds of cabbage. While she got the project started, Bambi was quick to thank all who contributed to the team effort. "Thank you to everyone that donated their time and energy. This is going to be a wonderful collaboration between Manatee County Extension office and The Food Bank of Manatee. This is just the very beginning," she said. As a leader of the program, Bambi also hosts the farming and volunteer activities on her land. The crops started out as small seedlings that were donated by the UF Extension office. The group has already transplanted their next round of seedlings into garden boxes for the next crop. They are planting arugula, spinach, and cucumbers. Everyone is excited to see the results of the next plantings. To see a tour of the gardens with Bambi, click here.
"Fresh fruits and vegetables are critical to our health and are an important part of our diets. Many people in Manatee County do not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. We are so thrilled about this partnership to help feed those in need in our community," said Maribeth Phillips, President & CEO of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee.
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Daybreak Adult Day Center | |
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Daybreak Adult Day Center, a PLUS program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee has been referred to as a "hidden gem". Nestled off of State Road 70 near Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Daybreak is the only licensed and federally funded adult day center in Manatee County. Clients participate in engaging and fun programming such as Armchair Travel, puppy play therapy, BINGO, creative writing, and singing. While the clients are being cared for and watched over by our trained and dedicated staff, caregivers can work or attend to other responsibilities knowing their loved one is safe. Clients and caregivers love this program! Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee thanks the Wilson Wood Foundation for their continued investment and support of this important program!
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Friendship Dining Centers: It’s a “Fresh Start” as Four Becomes Five! | |
In February, we had an open house for our newest Friendship Dining Center location! We are currently offering Friendship Dining Centers in 5 convenient locations!
Friendship Dining Center Locations
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Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee
811 23rd Avenue East
Bradenton, FL 34208
Tuesday & Thursday | 9:00AM-1:00PM
Presbyterian Villas
6125 14th Street West
Bradenton, FL 34207
Monday | 9:00AM-1:00PM
Parrish United Methodist
12180 US-301
Parrish, FL 34219
Wednesday | 9:00AM-1:00PM
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Church of Hope
1701 10th St W
Palmetto FL 34221
Thursday | 9:00AM-1:00PM
Myakka Family Worship Center
33420 Singletary Road
Myakka City, FL 34251
Friday | 9:00AM-1:00PM
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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. | | |
Home-delivered Meals: Fresh Produce | |
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Through our Mobile Produce Pantry and Produce on Wheels programs, we are removing two of the main barriers to accessing nutrient-rich fresh fruits and vegetables: location and cost.The Office of Disease Prevention recommends that, “Improving access to foods that support healthy dietary patterns is one method for addressing health disparities and population health.”*
Each month The Food Bank of Manatee, a PLUS program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, distributes fresh produce free of charge at mobile produce distribution locations in Manatee County. Why a mobile distribution? Because many people in our community don’t have access to transportation which creates a barrier to access. By going directly into parts of our community where there is a high need, we are making fresh fruits and vegetables available.
Similarly, through our Produce on Wheels program, each month nearly 750 homebound and disabled residents who can’t leave their homes to shop receive a bag of fresh produce to ensure they have fresh fruits and vegetables. The majority of clients surveyed love fresh produce delivery and one client commented they, “need more produce!”
Can you help? Just $6 can provide fresh produce to babies, children, families, and seniors.
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*https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literaturesummaries/
access-foods-support-healthy-dietary-patterns#:~:text=Affordability%20
also%20influences%20access%20to,are%20often%20low%20in%20nutrients
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Volunteer Spotlight: Peace Presbyterian Church | |
Peace Presbyterian Church in Lakewood Ranch held a "Souper Bowl" Food & Fundraiser for Meals on Wheels PLUS and The Food Bank of Manatee on Sunday, February 4th. Food and monetary donation "votes" were made by those who participated. The San Francisco 49ers received the most food donation votes, but the Kansas City Chiefs won the monetary donations. Food donations weighed in at 552 pounds and over $1,200 in cash was donated to support The Food Bank of Manatee, a mission partner of Peace Presbyterian Church. No matter which team you were rooting for, the real winner was The Food Bank of Manatee! | |
Donor Spotlight: Metz Culinary | Our thanks to our fabulous partners at Metz Culinary who have stepped up to sponsor our 2024 Volunteer Appreciation luncheon to be held in April. Through our partnership, Metz is a huge supporter of our mission - donating time, talent, and treasure to advance our life-saving mission. Thank you to all our friends at Metz Culinary for all the ways you support our mission to #FeedManatee. | Community Spotlight: Parrish Community HS and Palmetto HS Baseball Teams Collect Food | |
Parrish Community High School Baseball and Palmetto High School Baseball teams played under the lights last month, and accepted donations of non-perishable food items for The Food Bank of Manatee, a PLUS program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee! A total of 120 pounds of food was collected! Thank you to the students, parents, and coaches who participated to help #FeedManatee! Interested in following the lead of these young athletes? Register your food drive and request barrels by clicking here!
Heading North?
Before you leave town, donate food from your cupboards and pantry to The Food Bank of Manatee. Look for the yellow donation barrels at all Manatee County Goodwill and library locations!
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Current & Upcoming Events: | | |
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Spring Health Fair
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
11am – 1pm
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee
Selby Foundation Nutrition Services Center
811 23rd Avenue East
Bradenton, FL 34208
Sponsored by Dedicated Senior Medical Center. Free and open to the public.
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Tropical Nights: A Pirate's Life
Saturday, March 23, 2024
6pm – 10pm
Grove Ballroom, Lakewood Ranch
Only 2 Tables Available!
Get More Info / Purchase Tickets
Online Auction will open on Friday, March 15th at Noon. Watch for more details!
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SAVE THE DATE:
Saturday, May 4th
More details coming soon!
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Food Distribution Programs |March 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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