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More than 130,000 pounds of food was collected this past weekend for The Food Bank of Manatee during the annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign. The 2012 amount easily exceeded the 120,000 collected in 2011. In the ongoing effort to help
feed the hungry in our community, the 4th annual “Stuff the Bus” event took place at all Manatee County Publix Super Markets on Saturday, Nov. 17th and Sunday, Nov. 18th. Manatee District school buses were parked in front of all Publix locations and area shoppers were encouraged to donate food to fill each bus. The response was overwhelming.
This initiative is a partnership between the Manatee School District, Publix, Tropicana, FM radio stations 106.5 CTQ and 92.1 The Coast, and United Way of Manatee County, to benefit The Food Bank of Manatee.
Scott Martin, Assistant Superintendent of Support Services remarked, "Part of the school district's mission statement is to inspire our students to contribute to our community, nation, and world. Stuff the Bus is a great opportunity for our students to make a significant, direct contribution to the less fortunate of Manatee County. We are proud of the hard work of our students, staff, and community partners in making this a successful event".
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There are more than 2,000 children in the Manatee County school system who are homeless and unsure of how they are going to get their next meal. Through its 100 partner agencies, including the school district’s Project Heart, The Food Bank helps to ensure that these families are not going hungry. Philip Brown, President of United Way of Manatee County said, “Fortunately, we live in a community that cares for one another. This initiative is a perfect example of how reaching out a hand to one can influence the condition of all.”
“It has been a very tough year for a lot of people,” said Cindy Sloan, Director of The Food Bank of Manatee, “The food collected will help ensure that our neighbors, friends, and co-workers won’t be going hungry in their time of need. It all stays here in our community.”
The 130,000 pounds of food was sorted and packed on each bus, and unloaded at The Food Bank in less than three hours. “We are so thankful for the many volunteers who stepped up to help with this event,” said Maribeth Phillips, CEO of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, which operates The Food Bank. “They came from all areas of the community – students, civic groups, businesses, and clubs - wanting to make a difference, and they certainly did.”
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Few husband-wife musical duos provide audiences with the complete entertainment package that Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart dish out in a live performance. Armed with clever acoustic guitar interplay, autobiographical songwriting, lovely harmonies, and humorous storytelling this couple captivates your attention from the first moment they are onstage. Based out of Tennessee, Earle and Stuart draw from blues, pop, country, rock, and more in their heartfelt music. The years of touring the folk/Americana circuit (playing 170 concerts a year) have given them a knack for reaching out to the audience in an intimate “come in to my living room” fashion. They have opened for some of the best of the road. Joan Baez, Steve Earle, Willie Nelson, Ralph Stanley, Richard Thompson, Gregg Brown, Iris Dement and again many more.
Stacey and Mark own their own record label, Gearle Records, and have made 8 CDs over the years. Since meeting in 1992 and marrying in late 1993, the partners have toured the USA, Canada, and Europe repeatedly. They left the environment of pursuing a major label deal in Nashville in 1998 to target small intimate venue crowds in theaters, coffeehouses, festivals, clubs, and house concerts. This has become their home and they are a recognized fixture on the folk music trail they blaze.
The duo will perform in benefit for WSLR-LP 96.5 on Friday, December 7 at 8pm at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center at 525 Kumquat Court. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Advance tickets are available at Rocketman, Fogt’s Music, Sarasota Guitar Company and online at www.wslr.org. Come on out and enjoy some REAL country music and support your community radio station at the same time.
The Manatee County Government Parks and Recreation Department is in need of officials, 18 and over, for the upcoming Adult Flag Football and Adult Co-Ed Kickball Leagues. For questions regarding the application process, pay and other information please contact Ashley D’Arpino at the Athletic office at 941-742-5923 (Ext. 6062) or by email at Ashley.Darpino@mymanatee.org.
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Manatee County Habitat for Humanity Thrift stores are offering special “Black Friday” savings on all items at two locations. The Hardin Ave Store location will be open early starting at 7am offering 50% off everything until 8am. The store remains open until 7pm with all items at 25% off. Santa will pay a visit from 11am -2pm. The Cortez Store location will offer deals all day long from 9am-5pm with discounts up to 35% off. Refreshments and door prizes will be available at both locations. Proceeds from the sales at Habitat ReStores help support the local Manatee Habitat affiliate and helps build Habitat homes. Donation pickup of resalable items is free and available by calling 355-7082.
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Lewis, Longman & Walker attorneys have recently been recognized by Biz941 Magazine as Top Lawyers in the Sarasota/Manatee area. Kevin Hennessy is recognized in the area of Litigation, Maggie Mooney-Portale in the area of Local Government; Dennis Stotts in the area of Environmental Law; and Chip Rice in the area of Local Government and Land Use.
The list of Top Lawyers was published in the November Issue of Biz941 Magazine; attorneys featured on the list were selected from the Martindale-Hubbell database of lawyers.
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