TAMPA, Fla. — Even before the doors open at the United Food Bank of Plant City, Jacqueline Santiago is hard at work.
She began volunteering at the food bank in 2016, and most recently became the administrative coordinator.
She says they help provide food to more than 100 people a day, with the number of people needing assistance continuing to grow.
“Parents that didn’t really ever think about coming here before are now starting to come because they’re like, I can’t make it. It’s either pay my light or buy food,” said Santiago.
She’s concerned about the economy which is one issue driving her to vote in the election later this year.
As Santiago many other Hispanics will head to the polls, she says distributing important voting materials in Spanish breaks down a barrier that could prevent some from voting.
“Their children are the ones that interpret for them and help them,” she said. “But you know there will come to a point where your children will no longer be there.”
The issue is pertinent to Hillsborough County’s Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer, where more than 30,000 Hispanics are eligible to vote.
He says having materials readily accessible in both English and Spanish is crucial.
“The biggest thing is so somebody is not going to be disenfranchised,” said Latimer. “I mean if you hand something to somebody that’s just in English and they can’t speak English or read English, you’ve just disenfranchised somebody.”
He says the presidential election tends to draw in first-time voters, and having materials to guide them helps with the voting process.
“A voter’s guide that tells you everything you need to know leading up to the election,” said Latimer.
Santiago also plans to educate others on the importance of having materials right at their fingertips.
“All the Hispanic community that are able to legally vote, vote because we’re seeing the difference,” she said.
As she continues to make a difference in her community at the food bank, she’s looking toward the future and the impact one vote can have.
Spanish voting resources to all Tampa Bay counties can be found below: