TAMPA, FL — The fact that more than 200 cars lined up at Middleton High School in Tampa Saturday before the second annual Thanksgiving Food Basket Giveaway is a testament to the need in the community, said Chris Hill, chairman of the Tampa United Bikerz Jamboree.
By the end of the day, volunteers with Tampa United Bikerz had provided Thanksgiving dinners to 1,300 families.
Tampa United Bikerz is a community organization started to help the less fortunate in Tampa.
Find out what's happening in Tampawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Funds for the food baskets are generated by the group’s annual jamboree, a multicultural, family-oriented event with live music, motorcycle displays and vendors, held Memorial Day weekend, as well as donations from various community groups.
Hill said the group distributed more than 5,000 flyers over the past month to let the community know about the second annual Thanksgiving Food Basket Giveaway intended “to help the people in the neighborhoods, veterans, the less fortunate and anyone who needs it, we have food available,” said Hill.
Find out what's happening in Tampawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“This is a sacred time of the year,” said Hill, a Marine for 30 years.”More veterans commit suicide at this time of the year than at any other time of the year because they feel like they can’t provide for their families. We want to let them know we care about them.”
He said veterans, especially, are hesitant to talk about mental health problems. By providing Thanksgiving food baskets as well as on-site mental health resources, Hill said Tampa United Bikerz hopes to take some of the stress off veterans and other community members in need during the holidays.
“If someone feels like you care about them, they’re more likely to care about and take care of themselves,” Hill said.
The volunteers started the day with 750 turkeys and 700 hams along as well as fresh vegetables provided by Feeding Tampa Bay, over a thousand 5-pound bags of potatoes, canned goods and cake mix.
Community services were also on-site to help families in need including teeth cleanings by volunteer dentists, free haircuts, eye exams and eyeglasses, career resources and counseling.
About 100 turkeys and hams were left by 2 p.m. The remaining food will be donated to churches and local community groups, Hill said.
Partners in the effort include Safe & Sound, Visit Tampa Bay, Rise Up for Peace, the Tampa Police Department and Feeding Tampa Bay.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.