Supporting the Friendly City and Neighbors
The Friendly City Foundation is at the heart of Bradenton's community, working tirelessly to support local businesses, artists, and residents. Nicknamed "The Friendly City" for a reason, Bradenton thrives when we come together—and we need your support now more than ever.
In the wake of Hurricane Milton, the Friendly City Foundation has launched initiatives that bring relief and new hope to our community. By joining us, you can make a direct impact on Bradenton’s recovery and growth:
Community Dinners: 400+ Community Members Served
Every meal brings people together, and we've hosted muliple community dinners to help families affected by the hurricane. These gatherings not only provided a warm meal for those without power but also a space for neighbors to connect and find mutual support.
Neighbors gathered in the parking lot of Oscura for freshly-cooked (and delicious - thank you chefs!) food provided by our own kitchens and local cafe businesses. Once we had power, we could also provide a central location where neighbors could plug in devices, hear the news, share current resources, and enjoy a little air conditioning and music in great company.
Neighborhood Cleanup
Local buildings took significant damage from the hurricane. In order to help remove debris and make our walkways, roads, and parking lots safe to walk and drive through, our volunteers showed up early and worked tirelessly to move debris, clean up damaged and dirtied interiors, and bring our city back to working order.
Street Markets for Businesses
For many local businesses, Hurricane Milton disrupted regular storefronts or eliminated them entirely. Our pop-up street markets provide a platform for small businesses to continue operating and reach new customers.
In October, we hosted an extra Friendly City Flea pop-up market to provide additional exposure for local business owners and to encourage visitors and shoppers to visit.
We are actively seeking parnerships, sponsorships, and donations in order to provide these markets as often as possible at the lowest cost to local businesses to help support neighborhood rebuilding and growth efforts.
Your participation as a volunteer helps make these markets a vibrant success. Or, if you're looking for ways to help local entrepreneurs rebuild, consider donating to support booth setups and necessary permits.
Artist Residencies & Collaborative Markets
To support the creativity that gives Bradenton its unique charm, the Foundation is working to create spaces where artists can thrive and share their talents. We're establishing artist residencies and collaborative markets to showcase exceptional handmade products. Whether you're an artist, supporter, or just want to help us set up, we welcome you to volunteer or donate towards these initiatives, enriching our community’s cultural heartbeat.
Get Involved: Volunteer or Donate!
The Friendly City Foundation thrives on the kindness of neighbors like you. Whether you can volunteer time or resources, your contribution helps keep Bradenton strong and vibrant. Whether through volunteer opportunities or making a donation, every bit of support makes a difference. Together, let’s lift up the Friendly City, ensuring it remains a welcoming, creative, and supportive community for all.