TAMPA, Fla. — More than 1,000 volunteers converged across Feeding Tampa Bay sites Monday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of service, packing and preparing meals for people facing food insecurity across the region.
What You Need To Know
Up to 1,000 volunteers helped at Feeding Tampa Bay for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Feeding Tampa Bay helped to serve more than 87 million meals last year
The Dr. MLK Jr. Day holiday is considered a day of service
Volunteers worked in warehouses, supermarket-style pantries and bistros, repackaging meals, packing produce and assembling boxes for distribution across the organization’s 10-county service area. Organizers said participation this year surpassed last year’s event, which drew about 700 volunteers, and they expect the effort to continue growing.
“People reflect on what we should be doing and how we can help out — spread love,” volunteer Mike McNulty said. He volunteers with Feeding Tampa Bay regularly, and says it’s rewarding to see the immediate results of helping neighbors in need.
Feeding Tampa Bay officials say the need for food assistance is growing: the organization provided some 87 million meals last year. Event leaders said service is a meaningful way to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of justice and community involvement.
“One of the ways we think we can honor Dr. King’s legacy best is by service,” said Feeding Tampa Bay CEO Thomas Mantz.
View information about volunteering and learn more about Feeding Tampa Bay.