$50000 Matching Gift Challenge Launched to Help Feed Children and Families this Summer
The Food Bank of Manatee, a PLUS program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, has received a generous $50,000 matching gift commitment from local philanthropists Sara and Steve Bayard to help provide food for children and families facing hunger during the summer months.
The matching gift comes at a critical time as The Food Bank of Manatee’s Food4Families summer program is already experiencing a significant increase in demand. During the first week of summer distributions, participation was up 11% compared to the same period last year—an important trend, as demand typically grows throughout the summer.
Through the Food4Families program, The Food Bank of Manatee distributes free bags of non-perishable food each Friday at select locations throughout Manatee County. These food bags help ensure that children and their families have enough to eat when school is out and access to school meals is unavailable.
“Summer is one of the most challenging times of the year for families struggling with food insecurity,” said Amy Towery, Vice President of Development for Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. “Many parents face difficult choices between paying bills and putting food on the table. The increased demand we’re seeing this early in the summer underscores the growing need in our community.”
While the need for assistance typically rises during the summer months, charitable donations traditionally decline, creating additional challenges for local hunger-relief efforts. To help bridge this gap, Sara and Steve Bayard have pledged to match every donation made in support of the Food4Families program, dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000.
“This matching gift challenge provides an incredible opportunity for our community to make twice the impact,” Towery said. “Every donated dollar will immediately be doubled, helping us provide even more meals to children and families who are struggling.”
The Food Bank of Manatee is the only food bank based in Manatee County and serves as the community’s largest hunger-relief organization. As an independent food bank, it relies entirely on community support to fulfill its mission of feeding those in need. Community members are encouraged to give what they can to support the Food4Families program and help ensure that no child goes hungry this summer. Those interested in supporting the program can make donations online at http://www.MealsOnWheelsPLUS.org/donate, by mail to 811 23rd Ave. East, Bradenton, FL 34208, or by calling 941-747-4655.
Families in need of food assistance can visit the following locations to receive food, free of charge, every Friday* through July 31, 2026:
- Turner Chapel
12:00pm-1:00pm
317 11th Street Dr. West
Palmetto, FL 34221 - Manatee Mobile Home Park12:00pm-1:00pm
2204 Manatee Ave. East
Bradenton, FL 34208
- Lincoln Park1:15pm-2:15pm
501 17th Street East
Palmetto, FL 34221 - Pride Park1:15pm-2:15pm
6032 9th Street East, Bradenton, FL 34203
*The Friday, June 19, 2026, distribution will take place on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The Friday July 03, 2026, distribution will take place on Thursday, July 2, 2026.