ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The past year and a half has been a difficult time for many people across the Bay area.
The pandemic has made the vulnerable even more so.
But the community has responded with compassion and giving - especially during the holiday season.
On this episode of To The Point Already, Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk about the organizations helping Bay area residents in need and what needs to be done to keep the giving going all year round.
Thomas Mantz, the President of Feeding Tampa Bay, said his organization serves 10 Bay area counties where just under a million people are considered food insecure. That means they don't have a steady and adequate food source.
"We can all agree that people should have food on their tables," he said.
Mantz added that 1 in 4 children and 1 in 7 adults in the Bay area are considered food insecure.
College student Mia Desanjorge knew that food insecurity growing up.
She said her family often went without food and that inspired her to help others. She now volunteers at Metropolitan Ministries and has amassed more than 300 volunteer hours.
"I've noticed that a lot of people in my age group, they want to see change," she said. "They want to volunteer, they want to help people out. And it's really commendable."
There are many ways to help those in need in the Bay area, and Matz, Desanjorge and Southern Supportive Services co-founder Glenn Wilder all said just do it.
Among the Bay area organizations to lend your support: Feeding Tampa Bay, Southern Supportive Services, Metropolitan Ministries, Meals on Wheels, The Salvation Army and Goodwill.
"It's just amazing to see that in the community," Wilder said. "See what other people are doing and then do your own thing in your neighborhood."
ABOUT THE SHOW
Spectrum Bay News 9 Anchor Rick Elmhorst sits down with the people that represent you, the people fighting for change and the people with fascinating stories to ask the hard questions.
