811 23rd Avenue E., Bradenton, FL 34208 (941) 747-4655

April 2021 News Updates

In March, We Marched for Meals!

During the month of March we celebrate Meals on Wheels PLUS and the seniors we serve as we March for Meals together. March for Meals provides a wonderful opportunity to engage public officials in our community, garner media attention and helps raise public awareness for the nutritional and social needs of seniors. Local representatives and officials participate in our Home-delivered Meals program by delivering meals to our clients. Our sincere thanks to all who participated!

Every day, we are meeting the immediate needs of our clients by providing nutrition and compassion. During March for Meals, Commissioner Bellamy had the chance to meet Wanda while delivering with volunteer Stephanie. Wanda and her husband Henry receive our weekly deliveries along with our bi-monthly pet food deliveries for their two dogs. Wanda’s mother was also a Home-delivered Meals client, which is how Wanda knew about the program. Wanda is retired and has been a resident of Manatee County her whole life. She currently has 20 grandchildren and is so thankful for her Home-delivered Meals. “I thank God every day for all of you and what you do,” says Wanda.

Wanda says that the food is very good and balanced. She also loves the fresh produce and says that the people delivering the meals are so sweet and kind. She spreads the word about how our Home-delivered Meals are necessary for local homebound seniors and that, without it, they don’t know how they could get by.


DONOR SPOTLIGHT

The meal’s on us! In the month of March, Pier 22 and Grove restaurants donated a percentage of their sales, providing a significant contribution towards Meals on Wheels PLUS! Both restaurants have made ‘working for good’ their mission and are giving back to the community.

Thank you to both the Grove and Pier 22 for supporting our mission. We are so grateful for all you have done to give back to our community! Thank you for helping to #FeedManatee!


VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Knowing how much you are making a difference can be very satisfying. That’s how one of our volunteers, Sameer, feels about the work he is doing as a volunteer at Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee.

As a high school student, Sameer would often pass by the Meals on Wheels PLUS building coming home from school. In addition, his church, Faith Lutheran Church in Parrish, regularly hosts a food collection for The Food Bank of Manatee. So our mission and work to feed our community was something he was familiar with. After graduating from medical school and awaiting his medical residency application to be finalized, he wanted to make a difference in his local community and became a weekly volunteer assisting with what are currently our busiest PLUS programs: Home-delivered Meals and The Food Bank of Manatee.

Sameer says he enjoys volunteering with Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee because he knows he is making a measurable impact for people in need in Manatee County. “I can see how many food packets I prepare. I like to have the accomplishments measured.” He also likes how friendly the staff and other volunteers are and how organized the volunteer program is. “I like having my set volunteer schedule,” he says.


COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

We are pleased to recognize iHeart Media and 92.1 CTQ for their amazing ongoing support of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. Using their broad network to reach thousands in our local community, iHeart Media has helped to make our mission visible in the community for years. Particularly in light of COVID-19, iHeart Media has been a great partner in getting the word out about food resources available in the community. Special thanks to Maverick and LuLu for featuring our President & CEO, Maribeth Phillips, on International Women’s Day and for all they do to help us #FeedManatee.