Goodwill promotes Food Bank needs

So long, “Throwback Thursdays.” 

Rosenda Calloway has a new Thursday claim: “Thankful Thursday.”

Calloway today joins an army of supporters of The Food Bank of Manatee as Goodwill Manasota and radio station 92.1 CTQ partnered to help restock the shelves of The Food Bank of Manatee in a “Thankful Thursday” promotional event. Donations are down 72% compared with January.

“You have to look forward and help people,” Calloway said, carrying a red reusable bag filled with $30 worth of Publix groceries to a food donation barrel. “How many of us spend $30 for lunch without a blink of an eye? We need to give thanks. How can we have people in this community who are hungry?

“If you pick something to give thankful for every Thursday, think about how much change you can make,” she added.

For the promotion, 92.1 CTQ will be set up outside the Ranch Lake Plaza Goodwill store, 8750 State Road 70 E., Bradenton, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 4. Radio celebrities Maverick and LuLu are scheduled to be on site from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests who donated food received a Goodwill coupon for $5 off any purchase of $25 or more, just for making a donation to the Food Bank.

“When we can put together collaborations that benefit the community and other organizations, we love it,” said Morgan Gerhart, director of development for Goodwill Manasota. “We know the Food Bank of Manatee had a need, so we pulled in partners and volunteers to create this event. It’s a win for everyone.”