TAMPA, Fla. — Every Friday morning, Alex Baron helps present the community round USF that well being and wellness would not have to value you a lot.
“Welcome we’re at the Harvest Hope [Community] Garden here in the University area. It’s been around since 2014,” he stated.
Baron is the Garden Coordinator for the free community garden. It’s run by the University Area Community Development Corporation (CDC), a nonprofit that works to higher the community by way of packages and training.
They additionally present free food by way of a free pantry. Both are open to the community on Friday mornings.
The CEO of the University Area CDC, Dr. Sarah Combs, says the necessity without cost wholesome food and food training was already nice earlier than the pandemic.
“Unfortunately the University Area CDC is a food desert,” stated Dr. Combs.
And the necessity is climbing.
“We have been getting calls, people saying ‘My paycheck won’t stretch it just won’t cut it.’ ‘I’m a single mom, I have four kids,'” Combs stated.
To assist meet that rising want, the University Area CDC can be planning to increase its pantry to three different areas within the metropolis.
And in the end, they stated the objective is to feed individuals whereas sustaining a way of dignity.
“I think that when we think about food, we give someone a label for being food insecure. But it’s our neighbors, it people right down the street that are really having challenges with being able to eat,” stated Dr. Combs.
The nonprofit additionally provides cooking courses, job placement, eviction assist, and extra. To find out about the entire packages it gives, click here.