Where to find free meals and more after Hurricane Ian from Bradenton groups, businesses
A number of Bradenton-Sarasota area nonprofits and businesses have stepped up to provide meals to those affected by Hurricane Ian and those who are helping them recover.
▪ The Food Bank of Manatee, a PLUS program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, is hosting food distributions at Myakka Family Worship Center, 33420 Singletary Road, Myakka City, 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, and at Duette Fire and Rescue Station, 35800 State Road 62, Duette, 3-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, and 3-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7.
Quantities are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Donations can be made online at www.MealsOnWheelsPLUS.org.
▪ Oysters Rock Hospitality, the parent company/corporate office of the Anna Maria Oyster Bars and Café L’Europe, mobilized this week to feed up to 10,000 people through World Central Kitchen in Englewood and also set up its own feeding station in North Port.
▪ Innovative Dining and the Bradenton Kiwanis provided Manatee County Emergency Services workers and volunteers a hot meal before Hurricane Ian came through.
This week, Innovative Dining prepared and transported 800 portions of lasagna in catering hotboxes to the South Fort Myers area. Innovative Dining staff are donating their time to this effort and request donations to help buy food at https://account.venmo.com/u/Innovative-Dining-Ian-Relief.
▪ Several food trucks will host an event in the JFCS parking lot, 2688 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 12, to help feed hurricane victims. Donations made to JFCS’ fundraiser will help cover the cost of the hot meals prepared and served by the food trucks.
Organizations, churches, subdivisions, businesses, and community representatives can pick up the free meals during the event to distribute to community members in need. The funds will also be used to purchase groceries at a discounted rate for community members who cannot afford to replace the food they lost during the hurricane and power outages. Information: Karen Pharo at kpharo@jfcs-cares.org or 941-400-6685.
If your organization is involved in feeding efforts after Ian, please email details to metro@bradenton.com.
This story was originally published October 5, 2022 at 12:17 PM.
