Prior Grant Requests
Organization Name: The Food Bank of Manatee / Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee
Organization Website: http://www.MealsOnWheelsPLUS.org
Year Established: 1972Â
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to assist individuals to live independently by providing nutrition and caring, supportive services.
Contact Name: Amy Towery Years in Position: 7
Contact Email: atowery@mealsonwheelsplus.org
Contact Phone: 9417474655
Address: 811 23rd Ave. East
BRADENTON, Florida 34208-3735
Have you previously received a grant? Yes If yes, please indicate the year(s): In the Fall, 2025 funding cycle, we were awarded $3,000 for The Food Bank of Manatee for General Food Purchases.Â
How did you hear about our organization?
We have many loyal donors and supporters who are members of The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle.
What do you believe we can provide your organization?
We are seeking the support of the members of the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle because of your shared commitment to strengthening our community and uplifting families in need. The Food Bank of Manatee is an independent food bank and the only food bank based in Manatee County, Florida. Being an independent food bank means that we rely 100% on the support of the community to meet the needs of food insecure families. Your voices and advocacy help expand awareness of our mission at The Food Bank of Manatee, especially for programs that ensure children and families have consistent access to nutritious food.
What will the grant be used for?
We are seeking funding for our annual Summer-Hunger Food4Families program, to provide bags of non-perishable food items to low-income children and their families during the summer months when school is out for summer break. The School District of Manatee provides hot, prepared food Monday through Friday at their district-wide Summer Break Spots to all children up to age 18. On Fridays during the nine-week summer break, we follow the District Break Spot buses to several locations in Manatee County (identified by highest need) and provide bags of weekend food to feed an entire family. These bags provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner to feed a family of five for two or more days. That’s 30 meals – keeping families fed through the weekend. In the Summer of 2026, our goal is to provide approximately 200,000 meals at a cost of approximately $1.50 per meal, leveraging our wholesale buying power. Over the nine-week summer break, that is thousands of meals that will benefit low-income children and their families this summer.
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Provide the grant amount you are seeking: $5,000.00
Do you provide services to Sarasota and/or Manatee County? Yes
What is the financial impact per individual/program this grant will provide?
At an approximate cost of $1.50 per meal, we can provide over 3,330 meals with a gift of $5,000. The funds will be expended to purchase non-perishable food items, wholesale. The staff at the Food Bank put together menus for each week of the 9-week break to make bags that contain breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Receipts will be provided for the full amount of support provided to substantiate the food purchases.
Please provide the estimated number of women, children and families impacted.
We estimate that approximately 22,222 meals will be provided each week to families (22,222 individuals) and estimate that at least 18,000 of those meals will be consumed by Manatee County children (individuals) aged 0-18.
Is there a matching grant? No If yes, indicate donation source:
May we tour your facility? Yes
What reciprocal benefit can you provide our organization:
We are happy to discuss ways that we can promote The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle. In April, 2026, we are featuring your group in our e-newsletter.
Proof of Non-Profit Status https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/501-c-3-NEW-Meals-on-Wheels-PLUS-of-Manatee-1.pdf
Organization’s Logo https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/2026-MOWP-FoodBank-dual-logo-Horiz-150×150.png [110 show_image=1]
Project/Program-specific budget: https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/2026-Budget-PDF-DM.pdf
Guide Star Profile/Rating (if applicable): https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/Guide-Star-Charity-Navigator-150×150.png
Anything else you would like to share with us?
Thank you for your past support. Together, we can feed our community!