Feeding America Tampa Bay is the biggest food bank in the West Central Florida region, feeding more than 700,000 people in 10 counties ranging from Citrus to Polk to Manatee.
Because the organization is responsible for such a large chunk of Florida, they distribute food from the massive warehouse facility off 50th Street in East Tampa, as well as seven other distribution areas in the region.
Make that six now.
Saying they need to "take steps to allocate resources more strategically" after four years of rapid growth, the agency announced that they will shut down the Clearwater warehouse on Aug. 1.
"There are hard decisions to make," said Executive Director Thomas Mantz in a statement. "With more than 700,000 hungry people in the west central Florida area we serve, it is critical that every available dollar goes toward the distribution of nutritious food. Developing a more cost effective distribution process is key to maximizing the good we can accomplish."
