The coronavirus pandemic continues to impact thousands across the Tampa Bay area, making it difficult for many to feed their families. It’s also putting a strain on food pantries, so ABC Action News and Feeding Tampa Bay are teaming up for the 20 Days for Tampa Bay campaign.
“Since the beginning of the crisis, we have seen an excess of 100 percent more families in need,” said Kelley Sims, the Chief Development Officer for Feeding Tampa Bay.
A little less than 13 percent of the Tampa Bay area is unemployed because of the virus, bringing the number of people in need from 650,000 to 1.69 million, according to FTB.
Sims said they have gone from providing 1 million meals a week to 2 million. She said the majority of the people are first-timers, who never needed help before.
The need is putting a strain on organizations like FTB, and dozens of local food pantries. But Sims wants everyone to know that they will be here helping as long as people are still in need.
“We’re so fortunate that our partners have stepped up and expanded ways to make this financially possible,” she said.
One of those new ways is the 20 Days for Tampa Bay campaign with ABC Action News. We are asking people to donate what they can to help FTB continue purchasing food for the community.
“We ask those who are watching to consider supporting us because we may have these folks in our care at least until the end of the year,” said Sims.
If you would like to donate click this link: https://donate.feedingtampabay.org/give/289271/#!/donation/checkout
