The Manatee Memorial Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that was founded in 1984, when Manatee County sold Manatee Veterans Memorial Hospital to a for-profit corporation. As part of the sale, funds were designated to establish a non-profit foundation.

 

Volunteers went to garage sales and asked for whatever was left to be donated, and a thrift shop was established. In 1997, the current location of the thrift shop was purchased and is operated primarily by volunteers. The volunteers also operate a gift shop with new items in the lobby of Manatee Memorial Hospital. After expenses, proceeds are donated to other organizations in Manatee County and to fund medical scholarships.