The Labor Day Diaper Drive in support of the Food Bank of Manatee County was a huge success: 6,500 diapers, 635 ounces of formula, and 14,750 wipes, along with 3 bins of food. There are not many resources in the community that focus on collecting and distributing diaper, wipes, and formula to those in need.
Manatee County Habitat for Humanity is thankful for the many donations and volunteer hours we have received from the Esplanade Community. Gurn Freeman, our Esplanade resident, serves on the Board of Directors for this great organization. Manatee County Habitat for Humanity is driven by the vision that everyone deserves a safe place to live. To that end, Manatee Habitat partners with the community to build new homes and provide critical home repairs to senior, veterans and disabled homeowners. Since 1994, Manatee Habitat has helped 136 Habitat homeowners build and purchase a home of their own.
In November, we held a drive to collect home goods for Habitat for Humanity. In addition to building homes for Manatee County, residents also collected goods to help out their new homeowners. Karen McElroy, our Director of Retail Operations said “A big thank you to everyone involved in putting together this donation drive. Our stores success is based on projects like this. We greatly appreciate the items that were donated and that continue to get picked up weekly.”
Manatee Elementary School is a partnership school serving students from pre-K to 5th grade. This school consists of approximately 570 students, 90% minority, of which 77% are considered economically disadvantaged and qualify for free school meals. Some of these students arrive with a heavy burden of hunger, homelessness, poverty, violence, mental health issues, illnesses and so much more.
As a community, we are in a position to provide this school and these young children with the resources they need to not only help pave the way for academic success but to also give hope during their dark days.
May 23rd saw the 'Adopt A School' Kickoff Event at Manatee Elementary. We provided the children with a fun day they will never forget. There was movies and popcorn and giant inflatables to play on and games throughout the day.
Together, we can make an incredible difference one child at a time. DONATE HERE
We as a community look forward to many many more charity drives in the future and we will keep you updated how you can help.