Before USF fans gathered at Raymond James Stadium to watch the Bulls face off against the UAB Blazers on Saturday, they made a significant impact by donating hundreds of non-perishable food items. The event, hosted by USF’s athletics department in partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay, aimed to support the local community during a challenging time.
“We’re just ready to focus on the efforts of how we can help the community and serve our fans in the best way possible,” said Michael Kelly, VP of USF Athletics. “Partnerships like this with Feeding Tampa Bay are a great way to start.”
Feeding Tampa Bay’s Mission to Support a Community in Crisis
This partnership is part of a larger effort by Feeding Tampa Bay to provide meals and resources to areas heavily impacted by two devastating hurricanes in less than a month.
Thomas Mantz, President & CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay, expressed the urgency of the situation. “Our greatest concern is when someone is without resources, they become even more scared, and the pressure on their family grows.”
Doubling Efforts to Meet Critical Needs
Feeding Tampa Bay has been working tirelessly to feed double the number of people they typically serve. Mantz shared with FOX 13, “On a normal day, we deliver about 200,000 meals into the community. Over the past 14 days, we’ve been delivering about 400,000 meals a day to ensure families can sit down and have a meal.”
Innovative Approaches to Meal Distribution
To meet the needs of those in hard-to-reach areas, Feeding Tampa Bay has turned to creative solutions. “We’ve used DoorDash and other delivery services to ensure meals are delivered to homes we can’t get trucks to,” Mantz explained. Additionally, they’ve held mass distributions that have drawn thousands of families looking for essential resources.
Volunteer and Support Opportunities
Feeding Tampa Bay continues to bring hope, relief, and good meals to communities in 10 counties across West Central Florida. For more information on food resources or to volunteer, visit their website.
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