News Summary
ABC Action News has teamed up with Feeding Tampa Bay and DFCU Financial to launch ‘Pack the Pantries,’ an initiative aimed at reducing food insecurity for families in the Tampa Bay community. With nearly 80 school food pantries, Feeding Tampa Bay served over 2.5 million meals last year. Donations are needed to help provide healthy meals, with every dollar contributing to five meals for those in need. The initiative highlights the importance of community support in addressing hunger issues, especially amid potential cuts from the USDA.
Tampa Bay, FL – ABC Action News has partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay and DFCU Financial to launch the annual initiative called “Pack the Pantries,” aimed at combating food insecurity in the local community. This collaborative effort is designed to assist families in the Tampa Bay area who are struggling to provide healthy meals for their children.
Feeding Tampa Bay operates almost 80 school food pantries across the region, which play a crucial role in delivering support to kids and their families in need. Last year alone, these pantries managed to serve over 2.5 million meals, demonstrating the essential service they provide. Notably, the pantries offer a variety of items, including fresh produce, meat, and snack breakfast items, complementing the prepared meals available for distribution.
Donations are being sought in conjunction with the “Pack the Pantries” initiative, with every dollar contributed translating to five meals for families in need. Community members can make donations online or drop off non-perishable food items at various DFCU Financial locations throughout the Bay area, available Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
A related initiative, known as the Feed-A-Bull pantry at the University of South Florida (USF), serves as a vital resource for students requiring food assistance. Primarily stocked by Feeding Tampa Bay, this student-focused pantry supports around 2,000 individuals each semester and is currently experiencing increased usage, with daily visits ranging from 45 to 60 people. Concerns have arisen that proposed cuts from the United States Department of Agriculture could affect the food supply and variety available at food pantries, with estimates suggesting a potential reduction in Feeding Tampa Bay’s meal distribution from 100 million meals to 80 million meals.
In a separate but complementary initiative, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are launching a mobile food pantry program to further support families in East Tampa. This new program will feature bi-monthly events at Middleton High School, offering fresh groceries to up to 250 families at each distribution. This initiative is designed to address food insecurity in the community on a year-round basis.
The engagement of community members and local organizations is essential in the ongoing fight against hunger. Contributions to Feeding Tampa Bay play a significant role in providing necessary resources to families who are struggling. With the high demand for food assistance, these community-led efforts underscore the importance of access to healthy food options for both children and their families.
In summary, the collaborative efforts between community organizations and financial institutions are crucial in addressing the growing issue of food insecurity in the Tampa Bay area. The “Pack the Pantries” initiative, alongside programs like Feed-A-Bull and Buccaneers Mobile Food Pantries, highlights the collective commitment to ensuring that families have access to nutritious meals during these challenging times.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
USF’s Feed-A-Bull Food Pantry Faces Funding Cuts
Additional Resources
- ABC Action News: Pack the Pantry
- USF Oracle: Feed-A-Bull Food Supply Concerns
- Buccaneers: Mobile Food Pantry Launch
- ABC Action News: School Food Pantry Initiative
- ABC Action News: Food Cuts Impact on Families
- Wikipedia: Food Insecurity
- Google Search: Food Assistance Programs
- Google Scholar: Food Insecurity Solutions
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Insecurity
- Google News: Food Pantry Initiatives
Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER
The TAMPA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETampa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Florida State Fair, and Tampa Riverfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and United Way Suncoast, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and technology that power the local economy such as BayCare Health System, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, and KnowBe4. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERESTPetersburg.com, and HERETallahassee.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
