Food Bank of Manatee to Receive Investment at Critical Time
Meals on Wheels PLUS and the Food Bank of Manatee are getting a major boost thanks to a local bank. Hancock Whitney Bank will be presenting a $25,000 grant to help stock the Food Bank and provide much needed food and supplies to local Manatee County residents. The region is currently facing a 40-50% surge in demand for services. This “crisis” level of need is driven by rising grocery prices, the high cost of living, and recent reductions in federal SNAP benefits that have left thousands of residents unable to afford basic nutrition.
“The Food Bank of Manatee is the largest hunger relief organization based in Manatee County,” said Maribeth Phillips, President & CEO of The Food Bank of Manatee and Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. “The Food Bank is an independent food bank relying 100% on community support, making this grant from Hancock Whitney so truly meaningful and impactful as we feed those in need.”
In 2025, the Food Bank of Manatee distributed over 3,550,000 pounds of food into the community, along with emergency food baskets given to nearly 200 families. The Food Bank also provided nearly 2,100 emergency baby baskets including diapers, wipes, and formula to infants in crisis.
“As bankers, we know the power of investing,” said Tim Coop, Tampa Bay Regional President of Hancock Whitney Bank.” Food insecurity often leads to missed work, medical issues, and financial setbacks. By investing today, we are helping prevent deeper financial hardship later.”
Meals on Wheels PLUS was the top winner of the Hancock Whitney Opportunity Grants. In addition, two other nonprofits in the area received $10,000 each: Fostering Hearts Florida in Dunedin and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties.
Date: Tuesday February 24, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: The Food Bank of Manatee/Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee
811 23rd Ave East
Bradenton, FL 34208
VISUALS:
* Food bank supplies
*Interviews with Meals on Wheels PLUS and Food Bank of Manatee leadership
*Interview with Hancock Whitney Bank representative
About Meals on Wheels PLUS
Since 1972, the mission of Meals on Wheels PLUS is to assist individuals to live independently by providing nutrition and caring, supportive services. Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee offers comprehensive care and essential programs that assist people to live independently. While services include delivering nutritious meals to the elderly and disabled, other essential programs made possible by Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee include: The Food Bank of Manatee, Daybreak Adult Day Center, and Friendship Dining.
About Food Bank of Manatee
Founded in 1985, The Food Bank of Manatee is the only food bank based in Manatee County and a program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. The Food Bank provides nutritional assistance to babies, children, families, and seniors through a network of nonprofit partner agencies and direct distribution programs. For more information, visit www.MealsOnWheelsPLUS.org.
About Hancock Whitney
Since the late 1800s, Hancock Whitney has embodied core values of Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility. Hancock Whitney offices and financial centers in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida offer comprehensive financial products and services, including traditional and online banking; commercial and small business banking; private banking; trust and investment services; healthcare banking; and mortgage services. The company also operates combined loan and deposit production offices in the greater metropolitan areas of Nashville, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia. More information is available at www.hancockwhitney.com.