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Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee Inc

EIN 59-1420986 · Bradenton, FL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF MEALS ON WHEELS PLUS OF MANATEE, INC. IS TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY BY PROVIDING NUTRITION AND CARING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

Income
$12.5 million
Spending
$12.5 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
7.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
66
Volunteers
565
Highest pay
$210,981, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $8.2 million spent. THE FOOD BANK OF MANATEE:THE FOOD BANK OF MANATEE IS THE LARGEST HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATION BASED IN MANATEE COUNTY AND IS AN INDEPENDENT FOOD BANK RELYING MOSTLY ON THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF FOOD INSECURE BABIES, CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND SENIORS IN MANATEE COUNTY. THE FOOD BANK OF MANATEE DISTRIBUTES FOOD TO/THROUGH LOCAL PARTNER AGENCIES, INCLUDING FOOD PANTRIES, SOUP KITCHENS, AND LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. IN 2024, THE FOOD BANK OF MANATEE PUT NEARLY 3.8 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD INTO USE IN THE COMMUNITY TO MEET IMMEDIATE NEEDS. OVER 2,100 EMERGENCY BABY BASKETS INCLUDING DIAPERS, WIPES, AND FORMULA WERE ALSO PROVIDED. (CONTINUED AT SCHEDULE O).OVER 57,500 POUNDS OF FRESH PRODUCE WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO BABIES, CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND SENIORS. OUR COMMUNITY WAS HIT BY THREE DEVASTATING STORMS IN 2024. THE IMPACTS OF THE STORMS, SO CLOSE TOGETHER, WERE CATASTROPHIC FOR THOSE LIVING ON THE BARRIER ISLANDS AND FOR THOSE THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY. IN THE DAYS FOLLOWING TROPICAL STORM DEBBY, HURRICANE HELENE, AND HURRICANE MILTON, OVER 110,000 MEALS WERE PROVIDED IN ADDITION TO CLEANING SUPPLIES, PET FOOD, FRESH PRODUCE, WATER, AND HYDRATION DRINKS WERE DISTRIBUTED AT OVER 30 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT MANATEE COUNTY IN ADDITION TO OUR NETWORK OF OVER 100 FOOD PANTRIES DISTRIBUTING RESOURCES FROM THE FOOD BANK OF MANATEE. AS THE ONLY FOOD BANK BASED IN MANATEE COUNTY, FLORIDA, WE WERE THE MAIN POINT OF CONTACT FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR MANATEE COUNTY'S EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER.
  2. $2.0 million spent. THE HOME DELIVERED MEALS (HDM) PROGRAM:MEALS ON WHEELS PLUS OF MANATEE'S HOME-DELIVERED MEALS PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROVIDING HEALTHY MEALS TO ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS FOR OVER 50 YEARS. DURING 2024, OVER 190,000 MEALS WERE PREPARED FOR AN AVERAGE OF 535 HOMEBOUND SENIORS EACH MONTH. ENROLLMENT IN THIS LIFESAVING PROGRAM IS OPEN TO ALL MANATEE COUNTY RESIDENTS AGED 60 PLUS REGARDLESS OF GENDER, RACE, OR RELIGION. MEALS ARE DELIVERED ON A WEEKLY BASIS BY TRAINED, CARING VOLUNTEERS BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10:00 AM AND 2:00 PM. WEEKLY VISITS ARE SUPPLEMENTED BY PERIODIC TELEPHONE REASSURANCE CALLS AS A "CHECK-IN" TO CURB LONELINESS AND ENHANCE THE WELL-BEING OF THE CLIENTS WE SERVE. (CONTINUED AT SCHEDULE O)IN ADDITION TO MEALS AND PHONE CALLS, OUR HOME-DELIVERED MEALS PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES FRESH PRODUCE AND PET FOOD, FREE OF CHARGE TO HOME-DELIVERED MEALS CLIENTS.
  3. $597,237 spent. ADULT DAY CENTER:DAYBREAK ADULT DAY CENTER (ADC) PROVIDES DAYTIME CARE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FOR FRAIL, ELDERLY ADULTS. MANY TIMES, THESE INDIVIDUALS LIVE AT HOME WITH A LOVED ONE AND CANNOT BE LEFT ALONE WHILE THEIR CAREGIVER WORKS OR ATTENDS TO OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES. DAYBREAK OFFERS A SAFE, SECURE ENVIRONMENT WITH RECREATIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CLIENTS. QUALITY, TRAINED STAFF PROVIDE PEACE OF MIND AND RESPITE FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS. CLIENTS ENJOY A STIMULATING AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT, PARTICIPATING IN SOCIAL, MENTAL AND LIGHT PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND A HEALTHY MEAL. (CONTINUED AT SCHEDULE O)DAYBREAK IS THE ONLY LICENSED AND FEDERALLY FUNDED ADULT DAY CARE CENTER IN MANATEE COUNTY. WE ARE LICENSED FOR 100 CLIENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM. IN 2024, WE SERVED AN AVERAGE OF 52 CLIENTS EACH MONTH.
  4. $682,459 spent. FRIENDSHIP DINING CENTERS: FRIENDSHIP DINING CENTERS ARE AVAILABLE TO SENIORS IN OUR COMMUNITY OFFERING COMPANIONSHIP, ACTIVITIES, AND SOCIALIZATION ALONG WITH A HOT NUTRITIOUS MEAL. IN 2024, AN AVERAGE OF 54 CLIENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM EACH MONTH. FRIENDSHIP DINING CENTERS ARE OFFERED IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT MANATEE COUNTY INCLUDING CENTRAL BRADENTON AND RURAL AREAS. TRANSPORTATION: THE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM SERVES CLIENTS OF DAYBREAK ADULT DAY CENTER AND FRIENDSHIP DINING CENTERS IN MANATEE COUNTY, PROVIDING DAILY RIDES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND MAINTAINING A VEHICLE FLEET THAT INCLUDES EIGHT VEHICLES. THE TRANSPORTATION FLEET CONSISTS OF COMFORTABLE, STATE OF THE ART HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE BUSES, ALL SECURED THROUGH GRANTS. IN 2024, AN AVERAGE OF 38 ACTIVE CLIENTS RECEIVED TRANSPORTATION SERVICE TO AND FROM SENIOR PROGRAMMING. NUTRITION COUNSELING:NUTRITION COUNSELING IS OFFERED AS A ONE-ON-ONE OPPORTUNITY FOR A CLIENT TO DISCUSS FOOD CONCERNS, ALLERGIES, AND OTHER NUTRITIONAL CONCERNS WITH A LICENSED DIETICIAN TO REDUCE CONCERNS OR HEALTH RISKS. OUTREACH PROGRAM:THE OUTREACH PROGRAM ALLOWS FOR DISTRIBUTION AND SHARING OF INFORMATION ABOUT ALL AVAILABLE SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY, SPECIFICALLY TARGETING LOW INCOME AND LIMITED ENGLISH SPEAKING AND RURAL AREAS OF MANATEE COUNTY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1979.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.