|
On October 5, 2025, hundreds of volunteers from our community united in a single purpose: collecting food for The Food Bank of Manatee at the annual Stuff the Bus event. Shoppers donated non-perishable food items at participating Publix Super Market locations across Manatee County. Volunteers and community partners collected donations to “stuff” school buses with food that will be distributed directly through The Food Bank of Manatee.
Did you know...
- This community-wide food drive benefited The Food Bank of Manatee, the only food bank based in Manatee County
- All food donations will stay in Manatee County to help our local friends and neighbors in need
- The Food Bank of Manatee is an independent food bank relying 100% on community support
- Now, more than ever, families are relying on The Food Bank of Manatee to help put food on their tables.
The totals are still being counted! If you missed your chance to Stuff the Bus, donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off at 811 23rd Ave. East in Bradenton between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm or at any of these drop-off locations.
Stuff the Bus started in 2009 and we are grateful to our community partners who make this event such a success: Presenting Sponsor Mosaic, with additional support from Publix, Publix Supermarket Charities, United Way Suncoast, the School District of Manatee County, Herald Tribune, and Del-Air.
| | Matching Funds Available for
Food Bank Expansion Project | |
The Food Bank of Manatee, a PLUS program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, is expanding to better meet the needs of food-insecure residents in Manatee County. The expansion project will increase capacity to better serve the community with a focus on infrastructure, technology, and outreach. Steve and Natalee Herrig very generously provided the lead gift of $2 million for the project.
Now is the time to support this important project! A large matching gift of $50,000 has been offered by the Deerbrook Fund. That's $50,000 that can turn into $100,000 with your support! Click here to donate today and help expand The Food Bank of Manatee!
| Food Bank of Manatee Annual Pantry Training Strengthens Manatee County Hunger Relief Efforts | | |
The Food Bank of Manatee recently hosted its Annual Pantry Training, a two-day event that brought together nearly 80 partners committed to addressing food insecurity in our community.
The training provided an opportunity for local pantry leaders and volunteers to share ideas, learn best practices, and gain essential tools to better serve families in need. As the only independent food bank in Manatee County, The Food Bank of Manatee supplies food to all of the local pantries. In addition to providing food, we are proud to equip our partners with the training and resources they need to operate effectively and compassionately.
The event was filled with collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to fighting hunger. By working together, we are ensuring that thousands of Manatee County residents continue to have access to nutritious food and vital support.
We are grateful to our dedicated community partners for their hard work and participation. Their efforts, combined with the resources provided by The Food Bank of Manatee, make a lasting impact on the lives of so many of our neighbors in need. In total, The Food Bank of Manatee serves 95+ partner agencies and pantries. For more information or to learn how you can support our mission, click the link below.
| | Fresh Produce Delivered to Senior Clients | | |
In addition to receiving nutritious, Home-delivered Meals, seniors across Manatee County also benefit from a special monthly delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables. This program, called Produce on Wheels, provides clients with produce packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, helping to support their overall health and wellness.
For many seniors, access to fresh produce can be limited due to mobility challenges or financial constraints. By bringing these items directly to their homes, we are making it easier for older adults to enjoy a healthy, balanced diet that contributes to greater energy and independence.
These monthly deliveries would not be possible without the financial support of our donors and the ongoing dedication of our volunteers, all who play a role in ensuring that seniors receive the vital nutrition they need.
Together, we are working to help seniors across our community stay strong, healthy, and cared for.
| | Friendship, Creativity, and a Little Light | | |
Participants at our Friendship Dining Center recently enjoyed a special activity, creating beautiful lighted mandalas. While the end results were stunning, the real value came from the time spent together. Activities like these provide opportunities for creativity, laughter, and connection, making each day brighter for everyone involved.
Friendship Dining Centers are about more than just sharing a meal. They are a welcoming place where older adults can build friendships, take part in engaging activities, and feel a true sense of community. From arts and crafts to games, special events, and daily conversation, every gathering is designed to nurture both body and spirit.
Programs like Friendship Dining remind us that nourishment goes beyond food, it’s also found in joy, companionship, and belonging.
| | |
Clients at Daybreak Adult Day Center had a "flock of fun" creating lovely and festive fall scarecrows! Utilizing basic craft materials including paint, ribbon, and battery operated twinkle lights, clients made their own fall masterpieces to proudly display in their homes.
At Daybreak, senior clients participate in engaging and fun projects including crafts, games, chair exercises, and many other great activities. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about Daybreak Adult Day Center, call us at 941-748-3001 or click the green button below.
| | |
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: Cereal-ously Awesome Support from The Out-of-Door Academy!
| | |
The amazing students, parents, faculty, and staff at The Out-of-Door Academy recently collected 720 pounds of cereal to benefit The Food Bank of Manatee, which allows us to support families in need right here in Manatee County! We are so grateful for their generosity and community spirit.
The need for food in our community continues to be high. Many families are facing unemployment or underemployment, and with the rising cost of living, there often isn’t enough money left for food. That’s where The Food Bank of Manatee, a PLUS program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, steps in. Last year alone, nearly 3.8 million pounds of food were distributed through the Food Bank to help meet these urgent needs.
Thanks to the thoughtful efforts of The Out-of-Door Academy, more families in Manatee County will have access to the nutrition they need. What a blessing to see students and families coming together to make such a difference!
| | Volunteer Spotlight: Publix Serves Week | | |
In September, we were thrilled to welcome Publix associates who volunteered their time with us as part of Publix Serves, the company’s community service program.
Here in Manatee County, Publix team members jumped in to help with several projects: packing fresh produce for families in need, wrapping shoeboxes that will brighten the holidays for local seniors, and even painting bowls that will be used to support hunger relief efforts. Allowing their associates multiple days to volunteer speaks to Publix’s commitment to caring for others and making a lasting impact where their associates live and work.
We are grateful to Publix for choosing to spend their time with Meals on Wheels PLUS and The Food Bank of Manatee. Partnerships like this help us extend our reach and ensure more people in our community have access to nutritious food, care, and support.
| | Community Spotlight: Mosaic Cares Day | | |
We were honored to welcome volunteers from The Mosaic Company for Mosaic Cares Day, a company-wide day of service where employees across the U.S., and around the globe, rolled up their sleeves to give back to their communities.
Here in Manatee County, Mosaic’s team joined us to wrap shoeboxes that will bring joy and comfort to seniors we serve. This hands-on project is a simple act that carries a big impact, letting seniors know they are remembered and cared for.
Partnerships like this help bring our mission to life and we are so grateful to Mosaic for volunteering with us!
| | Food Distribution Programs |October 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.
| | | | |
