Over 20,000 summer hunger relief “sacks” distributed to food-insecure children.
Bradenton, FL – September 8, 2019The Food Bank of Manatee, a program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, distributed over 21,000 Summer Hunger Relief “Sacks” to food-insecure children in Manatee County during the months of June, July, and August. The summer relief bags included over 126,000 meals for children during the weekends.
Numerous volunteers donated over 870 hours to pack the “sacks” which were distributed throughout the county at 46 partner sites. All the sacks were made possible through funds raised thanks to generous supporters. Donations ranged from $3 to $50,000 and each gift made this program successful. In addition to summer hunger sacks, nearly 800 families in crisis received emergency food and baby baskets and over 1 million pounds of food was distributed to food pantries and partners.
“We began distributing weekend food to children in 2015, by following the Manatee County School District Summer Break Spot buses and provided about 5,000 bags that first year. This year’s efforts enabled us to increase that number by 400% and serve our youngest, most vulnerable neighbors in need, thanks to the generosity of our community. I am so very proud of what we accomplished together,” said Maribeth Phillips, President & CEO of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee.
Call To Action:
Thank you Manatee County for supporting food-insecure children in Manatee County over the summer. Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee and The Food Bank of Manatee are feeding people in our community 365 days a year. You can help by donating online at www.MealsOnWheelsPLUS.org/donate or by texting FEEDMANATEE to 243725.
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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