Random Acts Of Kindness Day: Help Feed Neighbors In Tampa

Tampa FL

16 February, 2021

8:18 PM

Description

TAMPA, FL — Random Acts of Kindness Day, set this year for Wednesday, Feb. 17, sees an amplified importance in 2021 as people in Tampa and throughout the world continue to struggle with the coronavirus pandemic that is now more than 11 months old. Among the ways to make a difference on Random Acts of Kindness Day this year is to make sure your neighbors in Tampa have enough to eat. For about 16 percent of people in Hillsborough County, food budgets are stretched thin from job losses, business closures and other economic havoc wrought by the pandemic. That's according to a projection by Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization, which notes that as many as 50 million Americans faced food insecurity at 2020's end. Feeding Tampa Bay, the local arm of Feeding America, distributes two million meals to families in need across the 10-county Tampa Bay area each week. In 2020, Feeding Tampa Bay distributed more than 65 million meals. Feeding Tampa Bay President and CEO Thomas Mantz gave the following reasons to volunteer: 1. Giving back makes you feel good, so shake off a stressful year by helping a neighbor in need. 2. Be a part of something huge. Each month, 5,000 volunteers help sort, pack and distribute meals. 3. Volunteer on your schedule - Feeding Tampa Bay has more than 50 volunteer opportunities each week with shifts mornings, afternoons and after work. 4. Volunteer support saves dollars, allowing Feeding Tampa Bay's organization to focus funds on the programming and logistics of transporting food across Tampa Bay, the most expensive part of food relief. 5. Complete service hours for school or work. The Feeding Tampa Bay team can sign off on hours for Florida Bright Futures and any other community service opportunities. 6. Connect with friends, family or coworkers in a new way. The volunteer experience offers a common bond and fosters team building. 7. Lifting boxes of groceries is good exercise. You can help with a tax-deductible contribution to Feeding America, which says the economic fallout of the pandemic has sent millions of Americans to food banks for the first time. For every $1 you give, Feeding America is able to provide 10 meals through its network of 200 food banks that serve and supply 60,000 food pantries, kitchens and meal programs. If you're among those struggling to find enough food — or if you want to volunteer — here are some upcoming events hosted by Feeding Tampa Bay: Feb. 20 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. there will be a produce-only pantry at Woodson K-8, 8715 N. 22nd St., TampaFeb. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dedicated Senior Medical Center, 1903 E. Fletcher Ave., TampaFeb. 24 from 11:30 to 1 p.m. at Tampa Underground, 798-774 E. Chelsea St., TampaFeb. 24 from 3 to 4 p.m., frozen, reheatable meals only at Seminole Elementary, 6201 N. Central Ave., TampaFeb. 24 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at Crossover Church, 1235 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa March 1 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. there will be a mega pantry at Yuengling Center at the University of South Florida, 12499 USF Bull Run Drive, TampaMarch 2 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Early Learning Coalition, 6302 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 100, TampaMarch 6 from 9 a.m. to noon there will be a mega pantry at Hillsborough Community College Dale Mabry campusMarch 8 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. there will be a mega pantry at the Yuengling Center at USF, 12499 USF Bull Run Drive, TampaMarch 10 from 11:30 to 1 p.m. at Tampa UndergroundMarch 10 from 3 to 4 p.m., frozen, reheatable meals only at Seminole Elementary March 10 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. there will be a mega pantry at Crossover Church, 1235 E. Fowler Ave., TampaMarch 13 from 9 a.m. to noon there will be a mega pantry at HCC Dale Mabry campusMarch 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. Heaven to Earth Worship Center, 8406 U.S. 301 N., TampaMetropolitan Ministries serves 75,000 meals each month in Tampa Bay and at partner sites around Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk and Pinellas counties. Meals are served at the Metropolitan Ministries Family Support Center, 2301 N. Tampa St., Tampa. Call 813-209-1200. Here are ways to help: Give a Box of Hope: Each food box is filled with nutritious essentials from the Metro Market and will feed a family for three days.Provide Hot Meals: Nutritious, hot meals for individuals and families are prepared at Metropolitan Ministries and distributed to partner sites.Volunteer: Serve a meal, host a food drive or stock shelves in the Metro Market.To volunteer, email [email protected]. Other food pantries include: St Peter Claver Catholic Church, 1203 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Feeding Ministries Global Nonprofit, 1254 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rock Church of Tampa Bay, 12120 Race Track Road, Tampa, Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon. Corpus Christi St.Vincent de Paul Society, 9715 N. 56th St., Temple Terrace, Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. MCC Tampa Food Pantry, 408 E. Cayuga St., Tampa, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.St Vincent De Paul Society, 12310 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 to 10 a.m.Hope Effect Food Pantry, 5102 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. St. Mark the Evangelist, 1924 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m.St Mary Catholic Church, 15520 North Boulevard, Tampa, Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon.St. Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. Light of Hope, 2606 N. MacDill Ave., Tampa, the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon and 3 to 5 p.m. Community Food Pantry, 13115 S. Village Drive, Tampa, Sunday from noon to 2 p.m., Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon and the third Thursday of the month from 5 to 7 p.m.ICNA Relief Food Pantry, 7326 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa, the first and third Saturday of the month. Random Acts of Kindness Day traces back to 1995 and the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.It is held on Feb. 17 every year regardless of what day of the week it falls on. PATCH/FEEDING AMERICA-BRANDED ART Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimated that by the end of 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you. See related stories: Millions Made Hungry During Pandemic Could Include Your NeighborNonprofits In Crisis: Charitable Giving Down While Needs Up