With a new year approaching, Feeding Tampa Bay is still providing double the meals to hungry Floridians than it did a year ago and could use more donations and volunteers.
“The thing about the holidays is it doesn’t change the needs of the folks we serve,” said Thomas Mantz, President and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay. “There are no more or less folks food insecure in November and December than in April and May. Our effort level remains high. What you have in the fall is greater awareness for which we are grateful.”
Since May, the food distribution charity has been feeding 2 million people each week, up from 1 million people each week in 2019. That is not likely to change in 2021 as people continue to struggle, with many having lost their job or having to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. The community must remember that there is still a global crisis, Mantz said. “Families have not recovered.”
Feeding Tampa Bay provides food donations to 500 charities and also distributes food directly. “We make sure the local church pantry or food kitchen has what they need,” said Mantz. “We have mega pantries where we see a significant number of folks at a time. We are always between great need and the challenge of meeting that need.”
The easiest way to volunteer or donate is to visit feedingtampabay.org. An additional way to help, Mantz said, is to give a voice to the issue by sharing information with friends and neighbors.
Families in need of food can find help on the website by entering their ZIP code to find out where donated food is available.
