The Food Bank of Manatee needs donations

Food Bank of Manatee Director Cindy Sloan signaled to four empty pallets in a row inside the organization's warehouse.

The spaces previously held soups, canned meats and boxes of raw pasta.

"In the winter months, all of these pallets are full," Sloan said, frowning. 

The Food Bank needs donations after feeding hungry families throughout the summer, when children are out of school and individuals who normally donate food are on vacation.

"Supply is down and demand is up during the summer," Sloan said. 

The organization, which is a program of Meals on Wheels PLUS, is operating with an estimated 163,902 pounds of food — that's 90,000 pounds fewer than the amount of food it had in August 2014. That amount is also nearly half of what the Food Bank had available in January.

With more than 50 food pantries stationed throughout Manatee County, 20 residential programs and a range of nonprofit groups and causes that need food donations, the Food Bank needs donations.

"I don't think we've ever been this low on food in the eight years I've been here," Sloan said. "I'd say 70% of what we have in stock is perishable, and only 30% are nonperishable items."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture also donates food to the Food Bank monthly, but lately has been donating items such as cranberry juice and sauce — items that aren't in demand or have a short shelf life, Sloan said.

Pastor Yancey Styles, who runs the food pantry every third Friday at The Tabernacle church in East County, stocked up what was available Sept. 18 at the warehouse — bread, meat and produce.

His food pantry was open for business just three hours after his trip to the Food Bank, and he knew 200 families would be waiting, even for items that would likely spoil soon.

"We're bringing back about 1,000 pounds of meat," Styles said."But it will all be gone soon. Although supplies are tight, we're always able to provide something for the crowd."

The shortage problem isn't uncommon for food banks. Each year, food collectors statewide have the same problems, Sloan said. 

The Food Bank is working to generate community support and is purchasing supplies with proceeds from the White Out Summer Hunger campaign.

Food Bank spent nearly $20,000 on 16 pallets of nonperishable items and other necessities. The supplies arrived this week.

Libraries throughout the county and Goodwill locations are also collecting donations.

Sloan doesn't think donations will pick back up until November, when the organization holds Empty Bowls event and the "spirit of holiday giving" is rejuvenated, she said.

"The holidays are the giving time of year in people's minds, and that's when they typically donate," Sloan said. "It's a mentality. We're trying to teach more agencies that we're here year round and need the help. That means sending out more email blasts and staying above the curve. That's how we keep going."

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].