Neighbors in Need: SNAP Funding Pause Increases Local Hunger | | |
A temporary pause in federal funding has impacted SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, leaving many Manatee County families, children, and seniors without the help they depend on to put food on the table.
As the only food bank based in Manatee County, The Food Bank of Manatee is seeing an immediate increase in requests for food assistance. More people are turning to local pantries and programs for help—and we’re working tirelessly to meet that growing need.
“We are already seeing more people in need of emergency food support,” said Maribeth Phillips, President & CEO. “Many of our neighbors who were just getting by are now facing additional challenges with the loss of SNAP,” she added.
Your support helps keep food flowing to neighbors in need throughout our community, especially now with SNAP delays and the holidays approaching. Every dollar makes an impact—providing nutritious food and hope to those who need it most.
Give today on our secure website by clicking here.
If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance, the 95+ pantries serviced by The Food Bank of Manatee are a great resource. A complete list of pantry locations in Manatee County can be found here.
| | 2025 Empty Bowls Events are Right Around the Corner! Join us! | | |
For 40 years, The Food Bank of Manatee has been feeding our neighbors in need and relies 100% on the community.
We have TWO Empty Bowls events coming up and would love to see you there! Your sponsorship or ticket purchase directly supports our vital hunger relief efforts. Together, we can fill every bowl and every heart. Save money by purchasing your tickets in advance at this link.
The following restaurants* are expected to be at the Lakewood Ranch Main Street Empty Bowls Event on Friday, November 14, 2025, from 11am-1pm to support our mission:
Anna Maria Oyster Bar
Bar Italia
Central Cafe
Chicken Salad Chick
Ed's Tavern
First Watch
Gecko's
Glory Days Grill
The Granary
Grove
Linger Lodge Restaurant
Metro Diner
Metz/Chef 2 Home
Mixon & Wiggins
O'bricks Irish Pub
Percoco's Pizza and Pasta
Popi's
Station 400
The following restaurants* are expected to be at our TerraNova Equestrian Center Empty Bowls Event on Sunday, November 16, 2025, from 11am-2pm to support our mission:
Another Broken Egg
Chicken Salad Chick
Killik's Kitchen
Myakka City Grill
Pier 22
Taverna Toscana
TerraNova Catering
Tsunami
There are two ways to get involved:
- Be a Sponsor – Align your business with a powerful local cause!
- Buy Tickets – Enjoy a meaningful meal and take home a handcrafted bowl—a reminder of the many empty bowls in our community.
Visit our website at www.MealsOnWheelsPLUS/emptybowls for more information and to get your tickets today!
*restaurants subject to change
| | SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING LAKEWOOD RANCH MAIN STREET EMPTY BOWLS SPONSORS | | SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING TERRANOVA EQUESTRIAN
EMPTY BOWLS SPONSORS | | |
Each winter, we provide Home-delivered Meal clients with a handmade, warm blanket. Even though our winters here are mild, for many without any source of heat, the blankets are a real blessing!
The blankets are lovingly crafted by local volunteers and donated to Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee by generous individuals, local knitters, crochet guilds, and quilting clubs. If you are interested in helping please call us at 941-747-4655.
| | There's a Friendship Dining Center Near You! | | |
Our Friendship Dining Centers operate in multiple locations across Manatee County, providing convenient access to this engaging program! Aimed at providing social and educational activities to seniors over the age of 60, Friendship Dining Centers are a fun place to come together for a meal, arts, crafts, games, and so much more. Funding is currently available for this program, making participation complimentary! Come try it out!
Also, while SNAP benefits are paused, we invite seniors in Manatee County who are:
-
over age 60 AND
- are current SNAP benefit recipients to join us for complimentary meals and programming at the days/locations listed below until SNAP benefits resume.
Please call Nichole at 941-747-4655 x2111 at least one day prior to attending to reserve a seat.
Locations and service days include:
| |
Human Slot Machines Get Clients Laughing
at Daybreak Adult Day Center
| | |
Laughter filled the air at Daybreak Adult Day Center as volunteers "entered the slot machine" for some good old fashioned fun. Each volunteer had an identical basket of items in front of them and "spun" their hands in a circle until the clients said "stop". When the slot machine stopped spinning, the volunteers grabbed an item from the basket in front of them without looking left or right, in hopes that all three would pick the same item. It was fun and exciting for the volunteers and the clients as they spun for "three in a row"!
Active games help aging seniors stay physically strong, mentally sharp, and socially connected—promoting better health, independence, and overall well-being. Daybreak Adult Day Center is the only licensed and federally funded Adult Day Center in Manatee County. If you are interested in learning more about this amazing respite care program, please contact us at 941-748-3001.
| | |
The Gulf Coast Corvette Club is hosting its Annual Charity Car Show benefiting The Food Bank of Manatee!
- Saturday, November 8, 2025
- 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM
- Registration is $20 at the gate
- Joey D's Chicago Style Eatery- 6401 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, Fl
- Accepting non-perishable food donations for The Food Bank!
All proceeds benefit The Food Bank of Manatee, supporting local families in need.
For more information click here.
| | |
Lace up for a Thanksgiving tradition! The Bradenton Runners Club Turkey Trot 3-Miler is back on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at Robinson Preserve.
Kids’ Fun Run kicks off at 7:30 AM, and the 3-Miler starts at 8:00 AM. Proceeds benefit The Food Bank of Manatee, One More Child, and Turning Points, helping local families right here in our community.
Sign up today: Bradenton Turkey Trot
| | Donor Spotlight: Loyal Donors | | |
We love our donors because their generosity fuels hope, changes lives, and strengthens our community. Every gift shows compassion in action—and we couldn’t do our work without them.
We are excited to announce the launch of our Loyal Donors webpage, featuring donors who have supported our mission for 10+ years and given us permission to include their name publicly. Our Loyal Donors list can be viewed here.
Please call us at 941-747-4655 and ask for the Development Office if you have given for 10+ years and would like to grant us permission to include your name!
| | Volunteer Spotlight: Relief Society Holiday Gifts | | |
Small gifts, like our Holiday Shoeboxes, mean the world to seniors during the holidays—they bring comfort, joy, and remind them they’re cared for and not forgotten. Even the simplest gesture can brighten their day and warm their hearts.
Led by Mariah R., The Relief Society of the Bradenton Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, wrapped and filled over 180 Holiday Shoeboxes for seniors in need this holiday season. This group service project will make the holidays brighter for so many low-income seniors in our community. Thank you to the Relief Society for your kindness and compassion.
| | Community Spotlight: Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Gives Back | | |
We are so grateful to the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance – Alliance Gives Back Volunteers for lending their time and energy to mulch the grounds at Daybreak Adult Day Center!
Your hard work truly brightened our campus, improving both the look and feel of our facilities for the seniors we serve every day. Thank you for making a difference through your community spirit and kindness!
| | Food Distribution Programs |November 2025 | | If you are a senior needing meals delivered to your home, we can help! Our Home-delivered Meals 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. | | |
Our Mobile Produce Pantry will be out and about in the community providing fresh and nutritious produce free of charge.
| | | | |
