Support IS VITAL TO FEED CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND ISOLATED SENIORS in MANATEE COUNTY
BRADENTON, FL March 18, 2020 – Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee is working to feed food-insecure residents of Manatee County as many businesses, community centers, and schools close amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Friendship Dining Centers, the Enrichment Center, and Daybreak Adult Day Center, all programs of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, suspended programming due to recommendations regarding group gatherings from the Centers for Disease Control, Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee continues home-delivery of meals to home-bound seniors and disabled residents in Manatee County to ensure they receive proper nutrition. Volunteers and staff are taking extra precautions to safeguard clients and themselves.
Through The Food Bank of Manatee, a PLUS program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, emergency relief is also being provided to children and families in the wake of COVID-19. In partnership with the School District of Manatee County, The Food Bank of Manatee is providing bags of food to feed a family of five breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the weekend. The food will be distributed on Fridays in conjunction with the school district’s Food and Mobile Feeding Buses that service seven locations throughout Manatee County. In addition, The Food Bank of Manatee is providing increased services to food pantries and partner agencies within the county to help meet the demand for essential nutrition.
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee is in need of:
- Non-perishable food items, specifically canned meats, canned fruits, peanut butter, and boxes of cereal. Donations can be delivered to 811 23rd Ave. East, Bradenton, Florida.
- Unopened packages of toilet paper, paper towels, disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizer to provide to home-bound and disabled residents as the supply of these items at the stores are depleted. Donations can be delivered to 811 23rd Ave. East, Bradenton, Florida.
- Monetary donations to cover operational and program expenses related to increased needs due to COVID-19. The Steven and Natalee Herrig Family Foundation has offered a $50,000 $1: $1 match to assist in providing critical nutrition and supportive services to those in need in our community. Donations can be made online at MealsOnWheelsPLUS.org/donate or by mail to 811 23rd Ave. East, Bradenton, Florida.
“Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee has always offered so much more than a meal to members of our community,” said Maribeth Phillips, President & CEO of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. “During this exceptional, challenging time we are a literal lifeline – providing critical nutrition and care to those who are hungry and isolated. We need the support of our community to meet the needs that are increasing daily related to this pandemic.”
###
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, supportive 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.