TAMPA, Fla. — Food banks around the country are struggling to meet demand from those hit hard by mass layoffs caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

That might have been the reason why there was a huge traffic jam leading into Cypress Greene Park on Friday for a drive-thru food drive organized by Tampa Democratic state Rep. Dianne Hart.

While many candidates and lawmakers have had to pivot towards charitable actions in lieu of fundraising during the coronavirus pandemic, Hart has been distributing meals with her mobile food pantry for five years, well before she was elected to the Florida House in 2018.

Parts of East Tampa have been classified by the federal government as a ‘food desert,’ meaning that local residents lack access to affordable and nutritious food. Studies have shown that people who live in food deserts are more likely to suffer from adverse health conditions such as diabetes and liver disease.

“I realize what’s happening in East Tampa – I was born and raised here,” Hart said on Friday morning while taking a quick break from distributing the meals to people in their cars (safety concerns because of the virus compelled the organizers to make it a drive-thru only event)  “I know it’s a food dessert. I know we’re not eating healthy. But this gives us an opportunity to eat healthy and to expand whatever you’re already cooking a little bit longer." 

Most motorists received a bag filled with fresh bananas, tomatoes, bell peppers. Others also received rice, cereal and milk.

Lending a helping hand was Orlando Gudes, who represents east Tampa on the City Council.

“Obviously, people are hurting," he said. "They’re here. As I come here, the line is already out past Lake Avenue. So obviously, what Ms. Hart is doing – she knew that need was here."

Both Hart and Gudes said the number one issue on their minds these days as unemployment claims are skyrocketing due to mass layoffs because of the pandemic is getting financial assistance to small businesses.

The $50 million Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program shut down this week after approving just 1,000 of more than 38,000 applications received.

There’s no more federal funds available for the time being as well after it was announced this week that two Small Business Administration programs to designed to help businesses weather the pandemic – the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the less-cited Economic Injury Disaster Loan — have both been depleted.

Reports from Washington say that partisan bickering between Democrats and Republicans have prevented Congress from appropriating another $250 billion designed to help small businesses.

After the food drive ended at 1 p.m. on Friday, Hart and her team had provided 1,400 bags of food to 812 cars who waited in line.

“My heart bleeds for every single one of the people who have to drive through here,” Hart said on Friday. “Because if they didn’t (have to), they wouldn’t. So I’m just grateful that we have an opportunity to serve them.”