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Feeding Tampa Bay continues mobile food pantry sites for those in need

Expect recovery time to take 3 to 6 months
Posted at 4:53 PM, Sep 25, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-25 16:53:08-04

For many like David Sutherland it's hard to get back on his feet after Hurricane Irma knocked out his power and ruined all the food in his kitchen. 

"Everything's gone," he said.

On Monday, he drove past St. Luke's Church off 5th Avenue North where volunteers, Feeding Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg police officers were helping distribute food to those in need. 

Sutherland points out that the food assistance program he uses won't issue month until the first of October, making it hard to replace everything he lost. 

Executive Director Thomas Mantz says research has shown that people who have a shocking event, like Irma, will take three to six months to recover. 

"They may have lost wages," he said, "so now their income is stressed, they may have had damage to their home and can't afford to repair."

Mantz adds that people may need to restock their pantries, and kitchens. 

Feeding Tampa Bay has had to rent out an additional warehouse to help meet the demand in the Bay area especially for those along the Withlacoochee River. 

Feeding Tampa Bay will have mobile units at these locations: click here.

If you are in need of assistance call 813-254-1190.