Food, Jobs, and Social Support Services All on the Menu at the 2023 One Stop Cares Thanksgiving Give Back Event

More than a third of all renters in the Sarasota and Manatee county area are cost-burdened, meaning the household is spending more than 30 percent of their total annual salary on housing. Many are living paycheck-to-paycheck, just one check away from joining 1,138 other homeless individuals already in the area.

One Stop Cares, our non-profit that uses housing as a platform to create positive impacts in affordable housing communities by bringing valuable resources directly into these neighborhoods, knows all about these challenges. On Wednesday, November 22rd, we’ll be hosting the One Stop Cares Annual Thanksgiving Give Back Event at Robins Apartments located at 2303 1st St Bradenton FL 34208, from 3pm – 6pm.  It is an event about hope.

Families in attendance will not only enjoy a delicious holiday meal prepared by several local restaurants that have volunteered to cater the event, but also have the opportunity to meet with representatives from several local social organizations and county government, who will be on hand to provide guidance, support, employment opportunities, and a pathway forward.

Multiple areas will be set up at the event, each serving a unique purpose. These will include:

Food Station: Attendees will enjoy a hot and healthy Thanksgiving meal and receive small gifts and personalized handwritten messages of hope and encouragement. 

Children’s Craft Area: To free up parents to engage with the various organizations in attendance, there will be a supervised crafts area to keep the children entertained.  

Support Service Organizations Area:

  • Goodwill: Providing assistance finding resources and employment.

  • CareerSource: Guests can explore skill training programs, many job opportunities, and receive assistance with resume building and job applications.

  • Hope Pathways of Manatee County: Support services

  • Turning Points: Those in need will be able to access support services and financial aid, including rental assistance.     

  • Manatee County Government: The county has many high-paying job opportunities and is willing to train people for them. Representatives from the county will be there to inform attendees about all of the opportunities available.

Several commissioners and other county officials will also be participating in the event. They will be there in a grassroots effort to engage with families struggling to make ends meet and to discuss the various initiatives they are working on aimed at alleviating financial challenges

Property managers from One Stop Housing will also be in attendance, offering insights into applying for one of its 4,000 workforce housing apartments in the area, or one of the 1,200 units currently under development.  

With the goal of supporting 500 families, we are seeking your assistance in spreading the word about this event. Media coverage at the event will also help to share resources and valuable information with all those unable to attend in person.

Your new home awaits.