TAMPA, Fla. — For a lot of families, being offered a shopping trip with Tampa Bay Fashion Foundation is music to their ears. But the shopping trip they’re taking isn’t what one would typically think of when it comes to filling up shopping bags. But for Mickesha Leggett, it’s right on time.

“Being that we just went through a government shutdown, it’s a big relief off of some of us parents that’s going through a lot,” she said.

What You Need To Know

The Tampa Bay Fashion Foundation assisted 250 families at the Silver Oaks Apartment complex

Families could choose groceries ahead of Thanksgiving, alleviating financial stress

The foundation’s efforts are part of an ongoing commitment to the community since last year’s hurricanes

With the help of the foundation, Legget was able to pick out the items she wanted ahead of time so she could get items her family would eat. She already had her menu planned out.

“Macaroni, yellow rice, chicken, string beans, cornbread and a chocolate cake,” she said.

Leggett is one of about 250 families from the Silver Oaks Apartment complex that the Tampa Bay Fashion Foundation is helping this holiday season. It’s part of a commitment organizers here made to those living in the low-income housing complex a year ago.  

“We’ve been working with Silver Oaks since last year in October after the hurricanes,” said Tampa Bay Fashion Foundation Managing Director, Madison Gergely. “When we went to the community, the members and individuals really touched our CEO and founder, Taneka Bowles. A lot of the residents came to her about how much it meant.” 

With this food market, the Tampa Bay Fashion Foundation is using an approach they know well — shopping in person and filling up grocery bags with what they need.

“It doesn’t feel like charity. It feels like I’m able to support my family and I’m able to go shopping and get things for my family and for my kids without it being handed to them,” said Gergely.

It’s a shopping trip Leggett says she couldn’t be more thankful for.

“They have been amazing. They are great. I mean from the day we started this program until now. I can call on them for any and everything,” she said.

The S.O.U.L. Food Market shopping experience accepted community donations to help fill the shelves for these families the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

The Tampa Bay Fashion Experience was founded by Taneka Bowles, wife of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach, Todd Bowles.