The Food Bank of Manatee is grateful to the community for coming together during this year’s Stuff the Bus community-wide food drive on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Volunteers at the community-wide event collected more than 61,000 pounds of food donations to help nourish local families facing hunger. The generosity of those who participated made a meaningful difference for our neighbors in need. Every item donated strengthens our fight against hunger and supports life-saving programs.
“Stuff the Bus is an event where every can and item donated makes a difference right here in Manatee County,” said Maribeth Phillips, President & CEO of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, who operates The Food Bank of Manatee. “With the increasing costs of food, rent, and gas we are grateful to those who donated and volunteered to help our food-insecure neighbors.”
The Food Bank of Manatee recognizes the following Stuff the Bus sponsors and partners for their continued commitment to feeding those in need in the community: Presenting Sponsor Mosaic, with additional support from Publix, Publix Supermarket Charities, United Way Suncoast, the School District of Manatee County, as well as the hundreds of volunteers who generously donated their time.
The Food Bank of Manatee continues to serve as the only food bank based in Manatee County and the largest hunger relief organization in the community. As an independent food bank, The Food Bank of Manatee relies 100% on the support of the community to meet the needs of Manatee County residents.
For more information or to donate, visit http://www.MealsOnWheelsPLUS.org.
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About The Food Bank of Manatee
Founded in 1985, The Food Bank of Manatee is the only food bank based in Manatee County and a program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. The Food Bank provides nutritional assistance to babies, children, families, and seniors through a network of nonprofit partner agencies and direct distribution programs. For more information, visit http://www.MealsOnWheelsPLUS.org.
