More than ever, Manatee County charities are relying on this year’s Giving Challenge

Much like past years, the 2020 Giving Challenge is offering a chance to support hundreds of charities in Manatee and surrounding counties.

But this year’s event is especially crucial for the charities and communities affected by COVID-19, said Susie Bowie, executive director of the Manatee Community Foundation.

“It’s easy for people to feel powerless at a time like this, but the Giving Challenge is a perfect opportunity for people to come together in whatever way works for them,” she said.

The 24-hour challenge begins at noon on Tuesday and ends at noon on Wednesday, supporting nearly 700 charities between Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.

And with continued support from the Patterson Foundation, every contribution has twice the impact. The foundation will match up to $100 per donor, per charity for donations made at www.givingpartnerchallenge.org.

The Giving Challenge — hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County — allows donors to address hunger, addiction, education, housing and more than a dozen other causes.

Project Light of Manatee, located off 14th Street West in Bradenton, was depending on the Giving Challenge more than ever before, said Charles Cunningham, president for the board of directors.

The program started teaching English to adults more than two decades ago. Students leave the program with a newfound confidence, ready to help with their child’s classes and to pursue new jobs or volunteer opportunities.

Cunningham said demand was growing, along with the need for support, but the COVID-19 pandemic was causing uncertainty about his future budget.

“I can’t predict how our donor base is going to turn out,” he said.

The Giving Challenge also supports local youth, including the children at Foundation For Dreams, a camp program for kids with special needs and chronic illnesses.

At the Manatee County Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, donations were needed for pajamas, welcome bags and other items that bring comfort to local foster and adoptive families.

Feeding Empty Little Tummies, or F.E.L.T., provides hundreds of meals to local children every week, while the Giving Alliance of Myakka City brings food to its rural population.

“Encompassing 320 square miles, we provide food to people who may not have other options,” the alliance said on its Giving Challenge profile. “Our volunteers are dedicated to helping our neighbors who are less fortunate.”

Nature enthusiasts can support charities that focus on local habitats, including Solutions to Avoid Red Tide (START), while animal lovers can help dogs, cats, birds and even farm animals.

Florida Rescue Farm adopts animals that were surrendered or abandoned by their owners, caring for the animals in Duette while also providing educational tours.

“We provide a home and safe shelter for unwanted farm animals,” the charity said on its Giving Challenge profile. “It is a compassionate environment where the animals are respected and can live a life free of fear.”

Other charities have an international impact. Ghanaian Mothers’ Hope connects children in Sarasota with children in the country of Ghana, fostering a love for reading and other cultures.

“The second grade classes read about each other’s culture, exchange letters, and host a video chat between the students,” the charity reported. “It is definitely a memorable experience.”

This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 2:16 PM.