VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS ARE NEEDED TO ENSURE
MANATEE COUNTY STUDENTS HAVE FOOD THIS SUMMER
Bradenton, FL – June 13, 2019The Food Bank of Manatee, a program of Meals on Wheels PLUS, estimates it will distribute a total of 120,000 meals in summer hunger bags to food-insecure Manatee County students this summer. These summer hunger bags contain 6 kid-friendly entrée items and 2 snacks.
According to Manatee County Schools, over 60% of students in Manatee County qualify for the federal Free and Reduced Lunch program whereby students receive breakfast and/or lunch from the district during the school year. When school is out for the summer, this food lifeline for children in Manatee County disappears. The Food Bank of Manatee is bridging the gap for food-insecure students during the summer by providing summer hunger bags.
“It is critical that we ensure our students in Manatee County are fed. It takes everyone in the community doing their part to help meet this need. For only $5 we can provide a summer hunger bag to a child – just $5. Right now, we have a $75,000 match from two very generous donors – there really is no better time to show your support for students in Manatee County as every gift is doubled,” said Maribeth Phillips, President & CEO of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee.
Call To Action:
The Food Bank of Manatee is encouraging the community to donate and volunteer. To register to volunteer to pack and distribute summer hunger bags, visit www.MealsOnWheelsPLUS.org/SSH.
For more information on the Sack Summer Hunger cause or to make a donation that will be matched dollar for dollar visit www. MealsOnWheelsPLUS.org/SSH
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About Meals on Wheels PLUS 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 services offered.
The mission of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee is to assist individuals to live independently by providing nutrition and caring support services. Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee offers comprehensive care and essential programs that assist people to live independently. While services include delivering hot, nutritious meals to the elderly and disabled, other essential programs include: The Food Bank of Manatee, Daybreak Adult Day Center, The Enrichment Center at Renaissance on 9th, and Friendship Dining.