By Andrea Messimer-Henley
In early March we all felt the impact of COVID19, there isn’t a single person that wasn’t affected in some way shape or form. I began to reflect on what I learned growing up in the grocery business that people need food in every circumstance and no one should ever go hungry. I wanted to get more involved in my area specifically with Feeding Tampa Bay, to see what I could do during this time and how I could help.
First, I reached out to Shannon Hannon Oliviero, the External Affairs Officer at Feeding Tampa Bay, and we collaborated on the right messaging to convey to the community in order to provide more awareness for the programs.
This is what she had to say, “Outdoor Advertising isn’t simply a branding opportunity, from the perspective of a non- profit organization, outdoor has the flexibility to share detailed information and even directions to the services we provide. Very vividly and successfully delivering our content right into the pathway of those who need us most”. Shannon Hannon Oliviero, External Affairs Officer Feeding Tampa Bay.
Next, I reached out to our Out of Home Media partners; to get more involved with Feeding Tampa Bay. LED Truck Media was so gracious, they donated space and were also present at multiple food pantry lines! Outfront Media and Clear Channel Outdoor also donated space around the bay on their digital billboard inventory.
I rolled up my sleeves and volunteered and fell in love with all of it.
I wanted to learn more about how Feeding Tampa Bay was able to stay so focused and organized while successfully serving fresh food to thousands of families in 10 counties, week after week when food demand is at an all time high.
I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with the President & CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay, Thomas Mantz, along with the Community Partnership Manager for Publix Supermarkets, Brian West at the opening of the newest mega pantry in Manatee County last week. Which served 1000 families with food insecurities the first day.
I asked Thomas and Brian, about their partnership and here is one of the ways that they work together.
Feeding Tampa Bay meticulously organizes and sets up the area food pantry lines each week primarily with college campuses, while Publix leverages their relationships with farm capabilities who have excess produce and dairy due to the majority of restaurant channels being closed down. Rather than throwing food away or allowing it to go to waste in the fields, Publix retrieves it and donates it to food pantry’s to serve the families in need in each community.
Brian West of Publix, shared with me after he saw reports from Farmer’s that were throwing away food that would normally be delivered to restaurants, it made all the sense in the world to donate it.
Most importantly, I asked Thomas Mantz of FTB. How can people get more involved?
There are three distinct ways to help, through voice, assist people in finding local pantries, the second way is to volunteer, by signing up on the website, and third is to donate.
I want to thank both Thomas Mantz and Brian West for their tireless team efforts each week. I also wanted to bring more awareness not just to Tampa Bay, but to food insecurity as a whole, it exists in every state and every city in our country.
Both organizations are doing amazing things for our community and making a huge difference in so many families lives every week. I have experienced the appreciation and have seen the smiles they put on the families and kids’ faces, firsthand.
If you would like to learn more, please go to feedingtampabay.org. Let’s continue to find ways to help and support each other.
A special thank you for your generosity and support, to the Out of Home Community partners, Jonnathan Trilleras CEO, LED Truck Media. Rusty McClelland, General Manager, Outfront Media, Susan Holshouser General Manager, Clear Channel Outdoor of Tampa Bay.
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