Helping the community recover through Manatee CARES

Over the past several months, Manatee County has been distributing millions of dollars in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act federal funding to local residents, businesses and nonprofits through Manatee CARES programs to assist those who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

From local non-profit programs promoting community health and wellbeing to business owners recovering from extended closures and reduced operations, here are a few examples of CARES Act funding at work.

Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County

With the assistance of funding from the Manatee CARES program, the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County(ELC) has been able to purchase and install 206 outdoor weather-proof hand sanitizing stations in Elementary schools and child care centers around Manatee County.

“It is so important for our children in child care centers, VPK students, and all Elementary-aged children, to be safely back outside in playgrounds after months of uncertainty and change due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation,” ELC Chief Executive Officer Paul Sharff said.

Pictured are some of the outdoor hand-sanitizing stations being installed in local elementary schools.

Turning Points

Turning Points has been able to use the Manatee CARES funds in a variety of ways. They have purchased PPE, hired additional workers to assist in demand and to assist in cleaning and sanitizing efforts, purchased additional work equipment, and were able to purchase supplies such as hygiene kits, clothes, and towels for their homeless clients.

Turning Points was able to purchase 210 military grade tactical backpacks for their homeless clients.

Multicultural Action Team (MAT)

Seven community partners have joined together to form the Multicultural Action Team (MAT), a team to protect the health and well-being of at-risk Manatee County residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The MAT came together to address needs in the areas of prevention, education, advocacy, research, linkage to care, and sustainable solutions for residents in our community.

Since the team has formed, they have held numerous events where they distribute masks, food, and COVID-19 tests, assess residents’ healthcare status, provide resources to the community, and more. In September, the MAT gave out 8,455 masks, 838 bottles of sanitizer, and generated 147 referrals to help impact 2,795 Manatee County residents.

The MAT partners include: Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce, Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County, Inc., Multicultural Health Institute (MHI), New College of Florida, Bradenton/Sarasota Links, Tidewell Hospice, and Unidos Now.

During one of the MAT event’s in November 2020, they were able to pass out over 300 masks and distribute food to 375 families. (Photos courtesy of the Multicultural Health Institute)

Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

With the nationwide lockdown, like many businesses, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature had to close its doors. In order to continue to provide an exceptional visit while reopening, Bishop has used the Manatee CARES funds to purchase the necessary PPE supplies, such as hand sanitizer stations and plexiglass, and to transition some of their programs and offerings online for consumers to enjoy. CARES funds have been essential in purchasing video equipment to create virtual educational programs like tours or experiments to be used in the classroom.

The Bishop Museum installed plexiglass dividers as they reopened in late 2020 after the COVID-19 shutdown.

HOPE Family Services

Due to the spark of the COVID-19 pandemic, HOPE Family Services saw a decrease in donations. This immediately brought concern over how they were going to purchase items for increased sanitation and work from home resources for their employees. The Manatee CARES program provided funding to allow HOPE Family Services to figure out how to purchase these necessary items, including essential PPE items like hand sanitizer, thermometers and face masks, as well as laptops for counselors and outreach advocates to safely complete their work remotely.

A temperature and hand sanitizing station has been installed at the entrance of HOPE Family Services.

ArtCenter Manatee

With the Manatee CARES funding, ArtCenter Manatee has been able to purchase table partitions to make their students feel safer, lots of PPE supplies including automatic sanitizer dispensers, and equipment to help move online with more classes and programming. They also were able to offer four classes to the community free of charge.

“We are most grateful for the Manatee CARES Act funding — we would not have been able to do any of this without it,” said ArtCenter Manatee Development Coordinator Cathy Mijou.

Pictured are the plastic tabletop partitions that were installed to help students feel safer during classes.

Salon Linnea

Salons were hit very hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were unable to reopen to their maximum capacity, while their expenses like rent and electricity remained the same. The Manatee CARES funding made the difference for Salon Linnea between being able to stay open or permanently closing the salon. Salon Linnea has called Palmetto their home for nine years, so salon owner Hanna Cannon was very grateful to not have to close their doors due to these unprecedented times.

Salon Linnea was grateful to not have to close their doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

AMI Beach Weddings

AMI Beach Weddings is run by Karen Riley-Love and specializes in destination weddings. As you can imagine, her business has been severely affected by COVID; both by restrictions and her desire to keep herself and her clients safe. The business has had to pivot to make the appropriate changes, and the CARES funding has made a significant impact on making those changes happen fast. AMI Beach Weddings now specializes in mini weddings and can now even live stream the ceremony to friends and loved ones to watch in real-time from the safety of their home.

This photo is from Bre and Christopher’s wedding. They had to cancel their large California vineyard wedding, instead choosing to marry with just immediate family in attendance and live streaming the wedding to over 200 guests. Photo credit: Love and Style Photography

Bins Be Clean

Bins Be Clean is a garbage bin cleaning service located on Anna Maria Island. Manatee CARES funding was a huge part of being able to afford a second truck and to have the ability to grow into new routes and neighborhoods.

Bins Be Clean was able to afford a second truck into their inventory with the CARES funds.

Sports Clips Haircuts of SW Florida

Sports Clips Haircuts of SW Florida used the Manatee CARES funds to cover payrolls costs.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in this process. The funds have been instrumental in stabilizing my business,” said owner Nick Choat. “As always, it has been a pleasure working with the Manatee County Government. Thank you.”

Interior of Sport Clips

Academy at Glengary

Thanks to the CARES Act funding, Academy at Glengary was able to purchase and install clear plexiglass barriers throughout their building. Academy at Glengary is continuing to stay vigilant during the pandemic and are always looking for ways to lower risk of infection and improve on their safety measures. The Academy is very appreciative of the financial assistance to keep the community safe and so they can focus on their mission and shared work.

Academy at Glengary was able to purchase and install clear plexiglass barriers throughout their building.

Rather Be Creative

Rather Be Creative is a budding fine art business run by Rather Hosch on Anna Maria Island. In April, her co-op was forced to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She applied for the Manatee CARES funding during the second round of applications in August. With the funds, Rather has the ability to expand her merchandising and inventory offerings, add some renovations to her retail space, and finish her website.