TAMPA, Fla. — It only took a second but as soon as Pastor Sixto Ward and his wife heard the ABC Action News story on Thompson Elementary they knew they had to help.
We told you last week, Thompson Elementary School's food pantry was ruined.
The Wards are the faces behind Tampa Bay Harvest, a cost-free grocery store.
RELATED: New 'cost-free' grocery store Tampa Bay Harvest helping 1,200 local families a month
The counselors at Thompson Elementary and the Wards met Thursday. The counselors were able to shop, cost-free at Tampa Bay Harvest.
"This is definitely our largest donation. So, it will sustain us for a while and we will have a wonderful open house," says Counselor Courtney Vermette.
Thompson is a Title 1 school. Majority of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
"We have fresh produce, we have bread, we have water, a lot of things we didn't have previously. We are more than grateful for what they're doing for us," says Vermette.
For the Wards, "now we realize there's a greater need in that community. "
And they plan to do something about it.
Sixto Ward says they hope to setup a satellite location in the Ruskin community in the future.
"There should not be a need in our community," says Ward. "There is no lack of food. It's just where and how we can distribute the food and work in unity to change our community."
For more information, including volunteer and donation opportunities visit their website.
