NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Random Acts of Kindness Day, set this year for Wednesday, Feb. 17, sees an amplified importance in 2021 as people in New Port Richey and throughout the world continue to struggle with the coronavirus pandemic that is now more than 11 months old.
Among the ways to make a difference on Random Acts of Kindness Day this year is to make sure your neighbors in New Port Richey have enough to eat.
For about 16.7 percent of people in Pasco County, food budgets are stretched thin from job losses, business closures and other economic havoc wrought by the pandemic. That's according to a projection by Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization, which notes that as many as 50 million Americans faced food insecurity at 2020's end.
Feeding Tampa Bay, the local arm of Feeding America, distributes two million meals to families in need across the 10-county Tampa Bay area each week. In 2020, Feeding Tampa Bay distributed more than 65 million meals.
Feeding Tampa Bay President and CEO Thomas Mantz gave the following reasons to volunteer:
1. Giving back makes you feel good, so shake off a stressful year by helping a neighbor in need.
2. Be a part of something huge. Each month, 5,000 volunteers help sort, pack and distribute meals.
3. Volunteer on your schedule - Feeding Tampa Bay has more than 50 volunteer opportunities each week with shifts mornings, afternoons and after work.
4. Volunteer support saves dollars, allowing Feeding Tampa Bay's organization to focus funds on the programming and logistics of transporting food across Tampa Bay, the most expensive part of food relief.
5. Complete service hours for school or work. The Feeding Tampa Bay team can sign off on hours for Florida Bright Futures and any other community service opportunities.
6. Connect with friends, family or coworkers in a new way. The volunteer experience offers a common bond and fosters team building.
7. Lifting boxes of groceries is good exercise.
You can help with a tax-deductible contribution to Feeding America, which says the economic fallout of the pandemic has sent millions of Americans to food banks for the first time. For every $1 you give, Feeding America is able to provide 10 meals through its network of 200 food banks that serve and supply 60,000 food pantries, kitchens and meal programs.
If you're among those struggling to find enough food — or if you want to volunteer — here are some resources here in Pasco County:
Food will be distributed:
- Feb. 19 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Gulfview Grace Church, 6639 Hammock Road, Port Richey.
- Feb. 26 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Gulfview Grace Church, 6639 Hammock Road, Port Richey.
- March 1 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the YMCA Trinity, 8411 Photonics Drive, New Port Richey.
- Feeding Tampa Bay will host a mega pantry March 1 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at Yuengling Center at the University of South Florida, 12499 USF Bull Run Drive, Tampa.
- March 12 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Gulfview Grace Church, 6639 Hammock Road, Port Richey
PATCH/FEEDING AMERICA-BRANDED ART
Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimated that by the end of 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.
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