Volunteers Needed for Manatee County’s Stuff the Bus
October 5 food drive will be held at select Publix locations in the county
WHAT: United Way Suncoast is excited to participate in this year’s Stuff the Bus event on Sunday, October 5. This community collaboration food drive is made possible thanks to Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee County Publix, The School District of Manatee County and presenting sponsor, Mosaic.
Volunteers greet shoppers, accept and sort food donations, pack boxes and load the bus. Two shifts are available at select Publix locations in Manatee County. Volunteer shifts are filled on a first come, first served basis. All volunteers must register in advance. Visit www.volunteersuncoast.org to register.
All donations stay local to support Manatee County families. Last year, volunteers helped collect 124,565 lbs of food and cash equivalents.
WHEN: Sunday, October 5, 2025
WHERE: Select Publix locations. For a complete list, visit www.volunteersuncoast.org
WHY: Soaring inflation and rising living costs have pushed food insecurity to crisis levels in Manatee County.
VISUALS/INTERVIEWS: Volunteers greeting shoppers, sorting foods, interviews with volunteers and/or United Way Suncoast representatives.
About United Way Suncoast
United Way Suncoast mobilizes communities to action for all. We give families and community members across our five-county footprint the “Freedom To Rise.” Founded in 1924, we enter our second century of service with a decided focus on uniting the region to generate support for hard-working families that stand one unexpected expense away from dire circumstance. We elevate early learning, energize middle school and high school youths and empower community members through financial security. We proudly serve Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties by investing in services and programs that help people create the lives they imagine for themselves. We enhance the community by addressing emerging needs such as natural disasters, and we expand the capacity of our nonprofits to help our impact ripple through the region. Along the way, we lead, convene and collaborate with corporate supporters, individual donors, nonprofit partners and valued volunteers because we know – United We Rise, United We Win.
