Free Meals for Hurricane Helene Victims: 6 Tampa Restaurants Join Forces

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on Tampa Bay, six local restaurants have united to provide free meals to those affected by the storm. This initiative demonstrates the community’s resilience and solidarity as the region begins its recovery efforts.

Participating Restaurants

The following Tampa-based establishments are contributing to this humanitarian effort:

1. Bern’s Steak House
2. Columbia Restaurant
3. Ulele
4. Datz
5. Oxford Exchange
6. Armature Works

These restaurants, known for their culinary excellence, are now channeling their expertise into supporting their community during this challenging time.

Meal Distribution Details

The participating restaurants will serve hot meals daily from 11 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 8 PM, starting Monday, September 30, 2024. Meal Distribution Details

The participating restaurants have released a detailed schedule for meal distribution across various locations in Tampa:
Monday, September 30

• Time: 4 PM – 6 PM
• Location: Davis Islands, 340 E Davis Blvd.

Tuesday, October 1

• Time: 8 AM – 10 AM
• Location: Graze, 2219 S Dale Mabry Hwy

Wednesday, October 2

• Time: 4 PM – 6 PM
• Location: Westshore, 3644 S Westshore Blvd.

Thursday, October 3

• Time: 8 AM – 10 AM
• Location: Willa’s, 1700 W Fig St.
• Additional Coffee Service: 8 AM – 10 AM at Davis Islands, 340 E Davis Blvd.

Friday, October 4

• Time: 4 PM – 6 PM
• Location: Davis Islands, 340 E Davis Blvd.

Residents affected by Hurricane Helene are encouraged to visit these locations during the specified times to receive free meals. The initiative aims to provide support to those struggling in the aftermath of the storm, offering both hot meals and coffee services at various times and locations throughout the week.

Anyone affected by Hurricane Helene, including those displaced from their homes or without power, is eligible to receive a free meal. This initiative aims to provide immediate relief to those struggling in the aftermath of the storm.

Community Impact

This collaborative effort comes at a crucial time for Tampa Bay residents:

• The storm has claimed 11 lives across Tampa Bay, with 9 in Pinellas County and 2 in Hillsborough County.
• In Pinellas County alone, 237 homes have been reported as destroyed, with nearly 12,000 sustaining major damage.
• Access to Pinellas barrier islands remains restricted until Tuesday, September 30, at 4 p.m., as crews work to clear roads and restore essential services.

Additional Support and Relief Efforts

The restaurants’ initiative complements other ongoing relief efforts in the region:

• The Glazer family has committed $1 million to nonprofit organizations assisting those hardest hit by Hurricane Helene.
• Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik announced a $2 million donation from the Lightning Foundation to help with Hurricane Helene recovery.
• Local businesses like Kahwa Coffee and Buddy Brew Coffee are offering free coffee to residents on September 29.
• Pure Kitchen is providing free hot meals to those in need.

How to Help

For those looking to contribute to the recovery efforts:

• Donate to organizations such as Feeding Tampa Bay, The Salvation Army Tampa Command, or the Florida Disaster Fund.
• Volunteer through Volunteer Florida or the American Red Cross.
• Support local initiatives like BabyCycle Diaper Bank or Mutual Aid Disaster Relief.

As Tampa Bay faces the long road to recovery, this collaborative effort by local restaurants serves as a beacon of hope and community spirit. By providing free meals, these establishments are not only addressing immediate needs but also fostering a sense of unity and resilience among residents as they work together to rebuild their communities.

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