Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee expanding to serve need

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee is expanding to serve the increased need in the community.

Recently, the nonprofit received a $2 million donation toward the expansion efforts, which will include a new food bank and new technology.

Keeping up with demand is something Maribeth Phillips is working toward.

“We are so excited to have this additional space,” she said.

Phillips is the president of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee. She is overseeing the expansion as the nonprofit is building an additional food bank warehouse.

“It’s about a 5,000-square-foot addition. This could not come at a better time,” she said. “And really, what we’re doing is positioning us for the future. We are the only food bank based here in Manatee County. And so we have 100 pantries and agencies that rely on us.”

The organization recently received a $2 million donation that is going toward the expansion project. In addition to the warehouse, it will be adding new technology.

“We’re looking at software options to be less labor intensive, as far as inventory and what we have on hand in terms of entry as well,” she said.

Phillips says that each year, the demand keeps climbing. Since 2021, Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee has seen a 40 percent increase in the need for food in the community.

“So we bridge that gap between getting food on their table and being able to really survive. So we say that our programs are life-changing, but they’re also life-saving,” she said.

The new building will also help in emergency situations.

“During the hurricanes last year, we had to rent trailers to accommodate the amount of supplies that we received to get out to the community, so we just did not have enough room here,” Phillips said. “And so this project will ensure that we’re going to have enough room.”

She said this expansion comes at a critical time. Her organization helps thousands of people each week, and that number is growing.

“I’m very excited that we will be able to see those needs,” she said.

Construction on the new warehouse is expected to finish in November. Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee still needs to raise more than a million dollars to complete the expansion project. The nonprofit welcomes donations if you want to help.