Latest news with #FeedingTampaBay
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tampa Bay food banks bracing for cutbacks under Trump
Food banks and nonprofits supplying meals to low-income people across Tampa Bay are bracing for potential cutbacks to federal programs that supply them with food or money. The changes being pushed by Donald Trump's administration come at a time when the cost of living, including groceries, is getting more expensive, pushing demand for affordable food higher. And the price of distributing that food is getting more expensive, too, advocates say. The U.S. Department of Agriculture in March cut more than $1 billion in federal funding when it canceled two programs that gave money to schools and food banks to buy food from local ranchers and farmers. Because of these cuts, food banks nationwide have lost access to millions of meals. In Central Florida, an organization that distributes meals to seven counties lost more than $1 million worth of food, according to news reports. And it's continuing to struggle with federal funding losses. Some nonprofits in Tampa Bay said they are still waiting to see whether the programs they use will get cut. But as the Trump administration looks to reduce other federal assistance programs, local food banks are worried the issues may compound. Feeding Tampa Bay, a nonprofit that serves 10 counties in the region, receives about 20% of its meals from a federal program, amounting to 20 million meals. Thomas Mantz, president and chief executive officer of Feeding Tampa Bay, said he's unsure if the program will get cut next year. 'We're going to do everything we can, but I don't suspect that we can make up that gap,' he said. 'We are a charitable-based organization, so all of what we do comes from the goodwill of the community, so that would be a big impact.' Metropolitan Ministries, a Tampa-based nonprofit providing services for people without homes or at-risk of losing housing, serves nearly 133,000 meals a month across Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Ten percent of its budget comes from federal funding sources. The nonprofit also relies on the federal AmeriCorps program, which connects volunteers with communities in need. This year, the Trump administration made sweeping cuts to staff and funding for AmeriCorps. Two dozen states last month sued the federal government over those changes. Christine Long, chief programs officer for Metropolitan Ministries, said she and her staff are regrouping after losing 30 volunteers from the AmeriCorps program. Now, they're monitoring potential funding changes affecting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 'Anytime there's a crunch on somebody's budget, oftentimes food is one of the first things that they lose the ability to purchase,' Long said. 'People who help folks with hunger issues are so critically important.' Inconsistent federal funding has long been a challenge to operating a nonprofit, said David Lomaka, executive director of Neighborly Senior Care Network in Pinellas. The nonprofit provides services for older residents, including Meals on Wheels home delivery and group dining. It gets federal funding from the Older Americans Act, which Congress passed in 1965 to provide social and nutritional services to seniors. Nonprofits have to pay up front for their services and repayment isn't guaranteed. 'The money starts and stops,' Lomaka said. 'Starts and stops.' Neighborly Senior Care Network bills the state for the cost of its services, and the state then bills the federal government. Once the expense is approved, it has to go back down the ladder. As layoffs began in D.C. earlier this year, Lomaka said he heard there could be delays in receiving those reimbursements. 'It's just very ineffective, inefficient,' he said. 'But it's the government, so this has been going on for a while.' Trump's fiscal year 2026 recommended funding puts some services under the Older Americans Act at risk because of proposed cuts to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' budget, according to the National Council on Aging. Local leaders are also keeping a close eye on cuts and restrictions to government assistance programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provide health care and grocery money for low-income households. These programs are a part of the public health ecosystem. When people struggle to access food, they are also likely to have barriers to health care, said Erica Monet Li, a health policy analyst for the Florida Policy Institute, a nonpartisan advocacy organization. 'Health care and nutrition absolutely intersect,' Li said. 'When people are properly fed and can feed their children, they have better health outcomes in general.' Medicaid and food assistance have been prominent policy issues for Republicans this session, who want to reduce spending on these programs. The House on Thursday passed a sweeping bill, dubbed the One Big, Beautiful Bill, that would make more stringent work requirements for Medicaid and food assistance. In Pinellas and Hillsborough counties alone, 26,000 people in households with children could lose some amount of food assistance benefits if these work requirements are enacted, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Long, with Metropolitan Ministries, and other food bank leaders said these restrictions could push people further into the safety net of government assistance. 'These types of government changes are going to impact their daily life,' she said. 'I think we're going to see a big increase in people coming to us for our services, yet our services are dwindling as well.'
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How can Tampa Bay continue to build with a changing climate in mind?
TAMPA — Over the last five years, Tampa Bay has seen a surge in population growth. And naturally, that uptick has spurred a wave of new development. From Water Street in downtown Tampa to Gasworx in Ybor City and the Historic Gas Plant District in St. Petersburg, more apartments, condos, retail and commercial development is on the way. But as strengthening storms, rising sea levels and other effects of climate change continue to impact Tampa Bay and beyond, how can our community continue to grow in a way that safeguards our future? The Tampa Bay Times, in partnership with Tampa Electric, will host a free community conversation on responsible, sustainable development in our region at the upcoming event, Spotlight Tampa Bay: Sustainability in Growth. The forum will take place at Feeding Tampa Bay, 3624 Causeway Blvd., in Tampa, on May 7 at 5 p.m. 'The Tampa Bay Times is proud to host this conversation on sustainability and innovation, connecting thought leaders with the community,' said Conan Gallaty, chairperson and CEO of Times Publishing Co. 'Through civic dialogue, we bring journalism to life, ensuring that growth reflects our region's shared values.' Local experts and community leaders will participate in a panel discussion on the need for innovations in development and construction as Tampa Bay's landscape continues to evolve. Visitors are encouraged to come early to enjoy an interactive resource center with displays from local organizations, including Tampa Electric's energy conservation team, the Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, Friends of Tampa Union Station, City of Tampa's Green Team, USF Urban and Regional Planning Program, ULI Tampa Bay and Plan Hillsborough. Enjoy tastings from the catering team at Feeding Tampa Bay and meet the business reporters behind the headlines. At 6 p.m., the panel discussion moderated by Tampa Bay Times Real Estate Reporter Rebecca Liebson will begin. Panelists include Kartik Goyani, vice president of operations at Metro Development Group; Melissa Zornitta, executive director of Plan Hillsborough; Taylor Ralph, president and founder of REAL Building Consultants LLC; Casey Ellison, CEO of Ellison Companies; and Abbye Feeley, administrator for development and economic opportunity at the city of Tampa. 'Tampa Electric is pleased to support this free forum for the community to discuss innovations that shape and enhance the future of our region,' said Stephanie Smith, vice president of State and Regional Affairs at Tampa Electric in a statement. 'Our energy solutions are crucial to Tampa Bay's development. By partnering with the community we serve, we are not simply fueling the future of sustainable growth but actively collaborating to shape it.' Attendees should register ahead of time at Admission and parking are free.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Feeding Tampa Bay fears losing millions of meal distributions if more USDA funds are cut
The Brief Feeding Tampa Bay fears any more cuts in USDA funds will stop their ability to distribute meals to people in need. Feeding Tampa Bay supplies almost 100 million meals to 350 community partners. They say people struggling tend to buy more unhealthy food and meals. TAMPA, Fla. - The president and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay fears his non-profit will lose access to fresh and healthy food options and millions of meal distributions if there are more cuts to U.S. Department of Agriculture programs. The USDA recently cut the LFPA, or Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement, which allowed food banks to buy food from local farmers for distribution to food pantries. It amounts to four million meals a year for Feeding Tampa Bay, which supplies food to 350 community partners. What they're saying "An organization like ours will distribute probably close to 100 million meals this year, so it's not an insignificant sum," said Thomas Mantz, the President and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay. "There's probably another 15 million meals that come through the TEFAP Program that would be at risk if those funds are cut." TEFAP, or The Emergency Food Assistance Program, distributes nutritious food to food banks. "When a family is struggling financially, they tend to buy greater quantities of unhealthy food because it tends to be cheaper," said Mantz. "The great value of these commodity programs is they provide good, fresh healthy produce that a family might not normally get." Local perspective Mantz says families across Tampa Bay are already struggling to manage budgets. 55% of their monthly income is spent on transportation and housing alone, so adding food becomes a significant burden. READ: White House to pause grants for Planned Parenthood, others: report "The idea that there are less resources coming into the community to help those families is going to be difficult for us to manage," said Mantz. "We understand decisions get made for a variety of reasons, but we want to make sure that folks understand the impact of those decisions." There is a light at the end of the tunnel, however. According to Mantz, the state is considering a Farmers Feeding Floridians program in its upcoming budget, which should help food banks provide fresh, healthy food for families. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube How much the program will help make up the difference is currently unknown. What's next Mantz says he's also concerned about potential cuts to the SNAP Program that allows people to get groceries. If you're struggling with food or resources, visit Feeding Tampa Bay's website to find food assistance in your area. The Source FOX 13's Carla Bayron collected the information in this story. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS LIVE: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
