The Glazer family, owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will provide 5 million meals aiding COVID-19 relief efforts in the region through a donation to Feeding Tampa Bay.
The effort will impact five area counties by supplying necessary groceries and provisions to individuals and families, children's meal sites, and seniors confined to their homes.
"During these difficult and uncertain times, it is critical that we come together to assist those who have been most impacted by this crisis," said Buccaneers Co-Owner Darcie Glazer Kassewitz. "Our family is extremely grateful for the great work being done to ensure that meals are available throughout our communities. It is our hope that these 5 million meals will assist Feeding Tampa Bay in continuing to provide these essential resources and services that are so vital to so many."
In addition to the donation of meals, the Glazer Vision Foundation has also re-purposed its Mobile Clinic – a full-service eyecare clinic that has provided over 100,000 free eyecare screenings and glasses to underserved children since its debut—to assist Feeding Tampa Bay with food deliveries over the coming months. In recent weeks, Feeding Tampa Bay has activated child meal sites to feed 2,600 kids daily, delivered thousands of meals to senior sites, deployed weekly mass food distributions, and transitioned many of its philanthropic partner locations into drive-through destinations.
"In a crisis such as we're experiencing today, we need heroes to help us make sure everyone has the most basic need met - a meal on the table today," said Feeding Tampa Bay President and CEO Thomas Mantz. "The donation of 5 million meals from the Glazer family is the largest of its kind to Feeding Tampa Bay during the COVID crisis and the impact to those who are struggling with job loss, income uncertainty and the fear of not being able to feed their family is incalculable. On behalf of those we serve, our thanks to the Glazer family for their generosity."
Last Tuesday, the Glazer family pledged $100,000 to the One Tampa: Relief Now, Rise Together Fund, which offers critical financial assistance to the most in-need residents and business owners in the city. The program provides direct relief by covering the costs of rent, mortgage and utilities for eligible persons and businesses.
The following day, the family contributed another $100,000 to the City of St. Petersburg's Fighting Chance Fund. The initiative is focused on small businesses in the service industry and their employees that have been dramatically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Darcie Glazer Kassewitz released the following message via the Buccaneers social media account this afternoon. Please click here for the video.
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