Food Bank makes bank

BRADENTON — The Manatee Community Foundation has given the Food Bank of Manatee $30,000, which the Mosaic Foundation will match. The announcement came in time for the Food Bank’s annual Grand Challenge starting in September.

In 2012 the Food Bank distributed nearly 4 million pounds of food. This year, the Food Bank hopes to surpass previous years and is off to a good start with these recent grants.

“Any time we help a need this large in the community we feel very good. In this case, it’s thanks to our donors who are generous with their charitable dollars,” says Marilyn Howard, executive director of the Manatee Community Foundation. “If the food bank is empty, then all these food pantries out in the different areas are having trouble, too. So, it's really important to come back and assist the source.”

Currently, the Food Bank’s warehouse is only 15% full. Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee services the Food Bank of Manatee, Renaissance on Ninth, the Senior Enrichment Center and Senior Wheels Transportation Services.

Financial donations are accepted as well as (but not limited to) canned food, diapers and healthy cereals.

For more information visit www.foodbankofmanatee.com or call 941-747- 4655.

Contact Harriet Sokmensuer at [email protected]