In the News

Manatee pro­gram offers hope in fight­ing food insec­ur­ity

by Anne Carter, Women's Resource Center

Food insec­ur­ity shows up at the gro­cery store check­out line, but it rarely starts there.

For many fam­il­ies, an empty refri­ger­ator reflects a much lar­ger equa­tion involving hous­ing, trans­port­a­tion, child care, employ­ment and the rising cost of every­day life.

That real­ity should shape how com­munit­ies respond to hun­ger…

Unified front against hunger: Manatee Food Security Network tackles growing crisis

TAMPA — A growing crisis of food insecurity in Manatee County has sparked a new collaboration to ensure no one goes hungry.

The backstory: The Bishop-Parker Foundation has launched the Manatee Food Security Network, bringing together over 50 agencies, from large food banks to grassroots pantries.

This new network's purpose is to share data, resources, and strategies to help feed those in need.

Food Insecurity Requires Coordination, Not Just Compassion

by Marisol Garcia, Executive Director, Kim's Krew

Every day, partners in the Manatee Food Security Network hear the same stories about families in crisis with empty pantries and refrigerators. These stories come from across Manatee County and from organizations of every size—large institutions and small nonprofits alike—working together to respond to hunger in real time.

Shutdown Exposes Gaps in Food Assistance

On November 1, due to the federal government shutdown, the essential support services SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) were paused.

And even though the government will resume SNAP and WIC payments as it reopens, this episode has shown how we can't just depend on the government to assist those who need help feeding their families.

Tackling Hunger in Manatee County: A Collaborative Solution Emerges

Tens of thousands of our Manatee County neighbors go hungry every day. By one estimate, as many as 12% of the county’s 440,000 residents regularly struggle with “food insecurity” – not knowing how and when they will be able to properly feed their families.

As the county continues to grow, and food prices continue to rise…

Government Shutdown Intensifies Local Food Insecurity

A video by Haley Munson, Video Journalist; Kieran Cloutier, Cinematographer; Sophia Azzopardi, Staff Writer; and Lucy Preston, Staff Writer.