Do you know the look of hunger? Most of the time, it is difficult to see. Yet, 43% of households in Manatee County are living below the poverty level. One out of seven adults and one out of four children are food insecure, which means they do not have consistent access to adequate food.

With help from folks like you, The Food Bank will continue to provide nutritious food to 115 local food pantries, soup kitchens, and agencies. These food partners distribute the 4.6 million pounds of food annually to nearly 30,000 neighbors each month – over 350,000 people every year!

We need your help restocking the Food Bank and meeting the increased need for food to those hungry in our community. Our neighbors need your help now more than ever. Would you please be so kind as to help our team at First In Care with our food drive for The Food Bank of Manatee?

First In Care Food Drive

When: February 1st through March 31st, 2018

Where: 2 easy ways to make a donation

-OR-

  • Call us and we’ll come pick up your food donation.

What: Most Needed Items

  • Baby Cereal, Food & Formula
  • Dry & Canned Beans
  • Tuna & Other Canned Meats
  • Peanut Butter
  • Rice & Pasta
  • Healthy Cereals
  • Canned Soups & Stews
  • Boxed Meals
  • Canned Vegetables
  • Canned Fruits
  • 100% Fruit Juice
  • Nutritious Kids Snacks

About the Food Bank of Manatee

At The Food Bank of Manatee, we see firsthand the need for food assistance in our community. We work with more than 115 local agencies and food pantries to distribute food for our neighbors in need. In 2016, The Food Bank distributed 4.653 million pounds of food.

A community referral network allows The Food Bank of Manatee to serve those in need of emergency help and prevents duplication of assistance. If you or someone you know needs help, please call 2-1-1 to find a Food Bank partner agency that can assist you.

Hunger is not reserved for third-world countries. It is affecting millions of people in America and thousands in our community every day.

THE FOOD BANK BY THE NUMBERS

The Food Bank of Manatee is the largest hunger prevention organization in Manatee County. Now more than ever, we need your help. The numbers below indicate just how critical it is for Food Bank of Manatee to continue its fight against hunger.

CHILDREN AND HUNGER:

Recent statistics showed that nearly 40% of families in the Bradenton/Sarasota/Venice area reported an inability to provide enough food for their kids. There are more than 1,500 homeless children in the Manatee school system, and at least 1,000 more who are not school-age or not reported. These children are most at risk for the dangers of malnutrition.

WHAT WE DO:

The Food Bank of Manatee is the primary distribution point of food for the entire county, working with 115 food pantries, soup kitchens, and social service agencies to alleviate hunger. The Food Bank also assembles Emergency Family & Baby baskets for those in crisis. In 2016, The Food Bank provided 1,636 Emergency Family and Baby Baskets for 2,875 individuals in crisis, many of whom were babies under age two, as a means of temporary assistance so those in need can find a more permanent solution to their situation. In an effort to discourage dependency on the program, only one basket per family per year is permitted.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

  • Host a Food Drive or Baby Food & Formula Drive at your business or event
  • Advocate the need for food assistance in Manatee County, through The Food Bank of Manatee.
  • Host a fund-raiser to bring in monetary contributions.

For more information visit http://foodbankofmanatee.org.

About Meals on Wheels of Manatee

While initially founded in 1972, with the purpose of providing hot, nutritious meals to the elderly and disabled residents of Manatee County, Meals on Wheels of Manatee, Inc. became so much more. The organization grew over the years in response to community needs, and the “PLUS” was eventually added to the name as a way of representing the many other service offered.

Think of Meals on Wheels PLUS in terms of a gigantic umbrella. Underneath the umbrella are all the PLUS programs including Home-Delivered Meals, The Food Bank of Manatee, Enrichment Center, Daybreak Adult Day Center, and Friendship Dining Centers.

Our organization has earned a coveted 4-star rating on Charity Navigator due to the strong financial heath and commitment to accountability and transparency. Through our programs and services and the generous funding of our community, we are able to service more clients, members, and families each year. We are proud of all of the services we can provide to the community, and we invite you to tour our facilities.

For more information visit https://mealsonwheelsplus.org.