Challenges remain imposing for Meals on Wheels Plus-Manatee

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee drives its many programs into 2025 with a similar plea to its community.

More is needed.

Maribeth Phillips, the nonprofit's CEO and president, understands the needs are repetitive. And as soon as one demand is met, another emerges.

But she is confident the public understands. She said the support from the community always has been incredible, and she believes it will continue to be that way in 2025 and beyond.

"The programs of Meals on Wheels are life changing, and life saving," Phillips said. "We try to incorporate that into our conversations. People can't survive without food. And that's why you see somebody in a car, lining up at 11:30 a.m. when we are not starting at a food pantry until 4 p.m. You know.

"When you see somebody sitting in a car without air conditioning — you know because the windows are rolled down even though they are sitting in the hot, blazing sun — you know they need it. You see the need. The need is real."

COVID-19 obviously presented its own challenges in Manatee County due to unemployment, illness and other strains on citizens. The community came through with food and monetary donations and Meals on Wheels got people through a tough time.

"But we have not seen a drop-off since COVID," Phillips said. "We started to see COVID in the rear-view mirror, then the cost of gas, housing and food went up. That wave never went down, and then we had the hurricanes. We were hit so hard."

Meals on Wheels had special distributions to help those affected by the hurricanes.

She said those affected finished repairs and got their power back on, then went to the pantries looking for food.

"We don't expect the numbers to go down in 2025," said Phillips, "We have to secure food and the resources to secure food."

Besides supplying food to those in need, Meals on Wheels Plus also has other programs of significant value to the county, such as the Daybreak Adult Day Center in Lakewood Ranch. The center provides a secure environment with social, recreational and therapeutic activities for those adults who live at home but can't be left alone without a caregiver.

It is the only licensed and federally funded program of its kind in Manatee County. The cost is $15 an hour and includes all supplies, snacks, meals and more. Partial and full day enrollment is available. 

The Daybreak Adult Day Center's Stefanie Guido said those who visit or tour the facility immediately see the value.

Among the programs is the monthly Traveling Chair where Kahoot! technology is used to take the clients to different locations in the world and to experience different cultures. 

Music Mondays allows clients to revisit their musical talents.

"We were very lucky to receive some musical instruments," Guido said. "We have one lady who used to play piano 50 years ago. She comes into the room with her walker and sits down and begins to play. It has been extremely therapeutic for her. It is fascinating what music does to the brain.

"We have another client who is not verbal and can't have conversations. And yet, he will sing every word of a song."

The most popular event is Bingo each Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30 p.m.

The Daybreak Adult Day Center has room for approximately 50 more clients.