Meals On Wheels Plus of Manatee to Expand Food Band of Manatee to Meet Increasing Needs of Food-Insecure Residents
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 provided the lead gift of $2 million for the project.
“What we learned about food-insecurity coming out of COVID is that once the need rises, it rarely recedes – it simply sets a new highwater mark,” said Maribeth Phillips, President & CEO of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. “As the needs in our community continue to grow, we are working to increase our capacity to better serve Manatee County,” she added.
During the 2024 Hurricane Relief efforts, The Food Bank of Manatee played a critical role in helping Manatee County residents recover from storm impacts serving as a donation hub and distribution arm for the entire county. Over 110,000 meals were provided to residents impacted by the storms and 38 neighborhoods across Manatee County received support from The Food Bank of Manatee in the form of cleaning supplies, tools, and clean drinking water.
The Food Bank of Manatee is the only food bank based in Manatee County, Florida and is an independent food bank relying 100% on the support of the community to meet the needs of food-insecure babies, children, families, and seniors in our community. Those interested in learning more about the expansion project and how to help support it should visit http://www.MealsOnWheelsPLUS.org
About Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee
While initially founded in 1972, with the purpose of providing 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 nutritious meals to the elderly and disabled, other essential programs include: The Food Bank of Manatee, Daybreak Adult Day Center, and Friendship Dining. More information is available at
http://www.MealsOnWheelsPLUS.org
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