The 29th annual Taste of Manatee, which came to a close Sunday, is more than food and fun.
The proceeds from the event will help people in need for months.
Eighteen local food vendors filled Sutton Park, while live bands entertained thousands of visitors this weekend.
Every dollar spent at the Taste of Manatee, put on by West Bradenton Rotary, went to helping nine local charitable organizations, including Meals on Wheels.
The organization has delivered 10 million meals to those in need in Manatee County. However, around this time the money runs out.
“About this time every year we run out of funding to deliver our home meals to our clients. Events like this get the awareness out,” said Joe Stoddard, Vice President of Meals on Wheels Manatee County.
The Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County serves nearly a thousand kids a day. Recently, the Legislature reduced some of their funding, hurting the program.
“Now we have caps in our clubs as far as the number of kids we can serve. So any financial benefit we receive helps make up that difference so we can serve more children every day,” said Beth Work, Vice President of Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County.
Rotary member Mark Sticht said it’s all about giving back.
“We feel good ‘cause we want to give back we want to support our community. There is such a need here in Manatee County,” said Sticht.
Thousands of dollars were raised from the two day event. Taste of Manatee is one of the West Bradenton Rotary’s largest events of the year.