Furniture retailer Ashley HomeStore announced in a news release that it is donating 250,000 meals to Feeding Tampa Bay, part of the national Feeding America network, during the current crisis.
The donation aims to help Feeding Tampa Bay’s programs and ensure neighbors in need have required food and resources.
Ashley’s contribution not only will help cover people that the Feeding programs already serve daily, but it will help others at risk, too, including:
- Children who are out of school and will have no access to school meals or after-school meals
- High-risk seniors and others who cannot reach food
- Families experiencing higher expenses and lower wages who would not normally need their services
Due to recent events, the size and scope of these populations are now significant and Feeding Tampa Bay’s response reflects that growing reality.
“We are in the midst of a time when more people than ever before are facing challenges in getting food and supplies they need,” said Thomas Mantz, president and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay.
“Ashley HomeStore is standing with Feeding Tampa Bay, giving us the ability to direct these crucial resources to our neighbors who need them most,” Mantz said.
As COVID-19 continues to impact the Tampa region, Feeding Tampa Bay has seen a 40% increase in need for their services, the release states.
“At this time, there are a lot of needs that must be met both in our communities and around the world,” said Greg Kammer, executive vice president of retail and sales operations, Ashley HomeStore.
Kammer said it’s important “for us to do our part, spread positivity and remind everyone that we are in this together.”
Published April 15, 2020
