Feeding Tampa Bay is set to provide a free Christmas Eve lunch aimed at supporting families facing food insecurity. On December 24, 2023, the nonprofit will welcome guests to the Causeway Center in Tampa, Florida, offering not only a hot meal but also food items for families to take home. This initiative seeks to alleviate some of the financial strain families often experience during the holiday season.
Thomas Mantz, CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay, shared details about the menu, stating, “So Christmas Eve, we’ll have a brunch here. We’re serving chicken parm and a lot of the sides with that. It’s going to be a terrific meal, and its goal is simple: bring people around a table who may not be able to put together a Christmas Eve dinner.”
The event reflects a broader commitment by Feeding Tampa Bay to assist households as needs increase during the holidays. Organizers encourage guests to make a reservation online at ftb.org/ChristmasEve to help with meal planning, although reservations are not mandatory. Mantz emphasized the importance of notifying the chef team if guests plan to attend: “If you forget to do that, still come join us. But if you let our chef team know you’re going to show up, it helps all of us.”
Supporting the Community During the Holidays
This Christmas Eve meal marks the first time Feeding Tampa Bay has hosted such an event at the Causeway Center. The organization previously held a Thanksgiving meal at the same venue, which was well-received, leading to expectations of a strong turnout for the Christmas Eve event. “We had entire families come in, sit down and have a meal together. It’s a reminder that everything good in life happens around the table, the people you’re with and the food that you have,” Mantz noted.
Leaders at Feeding Tampa Bay have expressed satisfaction with the Causeway Center’s evolution into a community support hub, surpassing initial expectations. The nonprofit continues to seek donations and volunteers, particularly during this festive season, as they strive to enhance their impact on local families in need.
For more information or to get involved, interested individuals can visit the Feeding Tampa Bay website. This initiative not only provides meals but also fosters a sense of community among those who may otherwise spend the holiday isolated or struggling.
