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

February 2023 News Updates

SAVE THE DATE: TROPICAL NIGHTS

The 29th Annual Tropical Nights Goes Hollywood, an event benefiting Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, will take place on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at The Grove Ballroom in Lakewood Ranch. Please join us on the red carpet! All proceeds from Tropical Nights benefit the programs of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee and stay right here in our local community.

There are several sponsorship levels and ticket options for Tropical Nights 2023. Click here for details.

Tropical Nights Online Silent Auction
Start Time: Friday, March 17th at 12pm
Dates: Friday-Saturday, March 17-25, 2023

The online auction will feature a wide variety of packages on which to bid. Auction will end the night of the Tropical Nights event. The auction is online and available to everyone—not just event attendees, so bid early and bid often in support of our mission!

29th Annual Tropical Nights Goes Hollywood
Date: Saturday, March 25, 2023
Time: 6pm
Location: Grove Restaurant Ballroom, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
Attire: Cocktail, Hollywood Glam

Click here to buy tickets

*Limited tickets will be available for the event


DONOR SPOTLIGHT

As a continued supporter and Community Champion of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, Cool Today has been vital in our efforts to #FeedManatee. In addition to their annual support of the PLUS programs, Cool Today will again be a sponsor at this year’s Tropical Nights Goes Hollywood—After Party Drink Sponsor. “We’re always happy to support Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee,” says Jaime D., Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee board member and founder of Cool Today. Any person or business who wants to donate something for our Tropical Nights Silent Auction, please click here.


MEALS ON WHEELS PLUS OF MANATEE WELCOMES THE 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We are pleased to announce the Board of Directors for 2023. We are grateful for these amazing volunteers who donate their time and expertise to advance our mission throughout Manatee County:

Executive Committee

Jackie Barron
Chair
Public Affairs Manager, Mosaic

Andy Guz
Vice Chair
CEO, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

Jaime DiDomenico
Treasurer
Founder, Cool Today

Susan Kramer
Secretary
CPA, Cablish & Gentile Certified Public Accountants

Maribeth Phillips
Ex-officio member of the Board of Directors
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee

Board Members

Lisa Barnott
Lakewood Ranch Communities

Steve Bayard
Community Volunteer

Christi Bock
TDS Construction

Carol Carter
Carter Global

Joseph Dunn
WWSB ABC-7

The Honorable Melissa Gould
Manatee County

Natalee Herrig
Community Volunteer

Mark Messner
Konica Minolta Business Systems

Carl Reynolds
Carl Reynolds Law


THE FOOD BANK OF MANATEE CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

With the effects of rising costs and the impacts of hurricanes in Manatee County, The Food Bank of Manatee distributed nearly 3.4 million pounds of food in 2022. The Food Bank of Manatee also distributed over 90,000 pounds of fresh produce this past year. The Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization based in Manatee County, helping our local neighbors in need. Food donations can be dropped off at any Manatee County library, Manatee County Goodwill location, the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce Lakewood Ranch location, and, of course, The Food Bank of Manatee. For information on our critically-needed food items list, please click here.


COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

River Club at Waterlefe will be hosting a community food drive on Saturday, February 11th from 7am-12:30pm at the River Club driveway. If you are unable to make food donations at their food drive, you can make monetary donations by clicking here.

The Food Bank of Manatee relies 100% on the support of our community to make sure the shelves are always stocked! We rely on businesses, organizations, neighborhoods, faith groups and families to help feed food-insecure families. You can greatly impact our community by coordinating a Food Drive! Click here to host a food drive.


FRIENDSHIP DINING CENTER CLIENTS MAKE BEAUTIFUL FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

The Manatee River Garden Club has been a consistent and valued supporter of the Daybreak Adult Day Center. Recently, the club began supporting the Friendship Dining Centers. This past month, they provided materials that allowed the clients to have a combination tea party and garden therapy session. After enjoying wonderful teas, wafers & cookies, each cup was rinsed and the fun began! Each client was given flowers to arrange in the empty tea cup. They got right to work with the task and created these lovely arrangements to take home. For more information about our Friendship Dining Centers, please click here.


VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Beth D. volunteered with her grandmother at food pantries when she was growing up. Beth is the founder of DiscoverBradenton.com, a one-stop shop for locals and visitors to keep up with all the great things happening in the area. The company’s website and Facebook page provide tons of information about upcoming events, local businesses, nonprofits, and more. After her grandmother passed away last year, she knew she wanted to do something to honor her. Beth signed up for her first shift at The Food Bank of Manatee and has never looked back. “I believe everyone deserves to know where their next meal is coming from,” she says.

When asked to help procure auction items for the Tropical Nights Silent Auction, Beth was happy to help. We are excited to have Beth helping with such an important fundraising function as we help to #FeedManatee. If you are inspired by Beth’s story and would like to volunteer, please click here.