TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay area churches are working together to help local food pantries feed thousands amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The generosity of people is overwhelming," said Rev. Cathy Hart.
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This is the third food drive organized by Palm Harbor United Methodist Church since the coronavirus pandemic. It's call "Pop The Trunk food donations." This food drive is bigger than the other two, according to Rev. Hart.
"We are doing this with 15 other churches in the area," he said.
Hart said all of the food donated will go to several different local pantries, like Feast Food Pantry in Palm Harbor. This is a very critical time for all food pantries.
They're all running low on food due to the pandemic.
"The need is greater than ever before," said Monica Wilson, the director of the Community Pantry in Carrollwood.
The community pantry has fed over 5,000 families so far this year, according to Wilson. That's 65% of last year's total.
"Most of the families are new," she said.
According to their records, they fed 2,197 new families in April. That's an 88% increase from last year's total.
All local organizations say the help from neighbors and churches is needed like never before.
"It's what we're committed to as Christians," said Pop the Truck volunteer Fred Field.
If you would like to donate, but missed out on Saturday's event, organizers are asking people to bring food to the food pantries in your area.
