At Thanksgiving Dinner, Giveaway, Tampa Police Share Food, Goodwill

TAMPA, FL — Armed with spoons and carving knives, members of the Tampa Police Department spent the weekend spreading goodwill and Thanksgiving meals with East Tampa residents, putting the emphasis on the former part of the police motto, "To serve and protect."

Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Tampa Police Department partnered with local nonprofits to feed hundreds of residents in need this holiday.

On Saturday, police officers joined United Bikerz Jamboree and Rise Up For Peace, an East Tampa nonprofit community action group intent on reducing gun violence, with assistance from Hooters and CarePlus Health Plans, to distribute Thanksgiving food baskets to residents at the NFL Yet Center, 3310 E Lake Ave., Tampa.

On Sunday, Tampa police officers were back, transforming parking lot of the Tampa Police District III Office at 3808 N 22nd St. in Tampa into a makeshift kitchen complete with a restaurant-sized smoker to prepare smoked turkey and ham.

Hundreds of East Tampa residents gathered for fellowship, food and some good-natured fun with the police officers who found themselves serving up dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy instead of tickets.

This event was hosted for the 20th year by the nonprofit Children with a Vision Inc., which advocates for educational and life issues. Children With A Vision is also planning to provide Thanksgiving baskets to more than 100 families, allowing them to prepare their own Thanksgiving meals.

"The last couple of years have been very difficult financially for many families, and with the current cost of groceries, buying and preparing a special meal this week may not be possible for some of our residents," Tampa Police Chief Mary O'Connor said. "We want to make sure they get to enjoy a holiday meal and use this as an opportunity to engage and connect with our community."

Patch has partnered with Feeding America since 2020 to help raise awareness in our local communities of hunger, a persistent national problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that 1 in 8 people face hunger. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.