Food insecurity is a huge problem now more than ever due to massive layoffs in the wake of the coronavirus, but the HCC Foundation and Feeding Tampa Bay have partnered for a weekly Community Drive-Thru Mega Pantry to feed anyone in need.
The pantry—located at HCC SouthShore, 551 24th St. NE in Ruskin—is one of more than a dozen Feeding Tampa Bay mega pantries on both sides of the Bay.
A report in The Observer News says the Ruskin mega pantry distribution will take place every Wednesday until Dec. 23. The goal is to feed 700 families per week, and a press release from Feeding Tampa Bay says that on average, each of its mega pantries serves 11,300 guests 377,000 meals weekly (that’s 452,000 pounds of food).
Registration and any forms of identification are required. During pickup, attendees can sit in their cars and follow CDC rules and guidelines while volunteers do the heavy lifting. Pickup days and times vary for each mega pantry, but more information is on feedingtampabay.org.
Because of the high demand for food, Feeding Tampa Bay has also hired 78 furloughed workers to date throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but volunteers are still needed. Those interested can sign up on Feeding Tampa Bay’s website and choose which week they’d like to work.
Support local journalism in these crazy days. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you up to the minute news on how Coronavirus is affecting Tampa and surrounding areas. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help support our staff. Every little bit helps.
Want to know everything going on with Tampa Bay's food and drink scene? Sign up for our Bites newsletter.
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4, 2020.