Meals On Wheels of Tampa, Moffitt Cancer Center, Suncoast Credit Union, USF Deliver Hurricane Preparedness Packs to Homebound Neighbors

Tampa, FL, May 26, 2016 --(PR.com)-- Meals On Wheels of Tampa, The Moffitt Cancer Center, Suncoast Credit Union, USF and many other dedicated volunteers delivered special Hurricane Preparedness Packs to the Meals On Wheels of Tampa recipients on the morning of Saturday, May 21 for the 2016 Hurricane season.

As June approaches we are reminded to prepare for the 2016 hurricane season by our local news stations, grocery stores and businesses. Many of us have a plan for what we will do when a big storm hits the area. However, for the homebound and elderly throughout our community, there is no plan. Because of their inability to drive or move freely, there is no way to gather the supplies they need or to get out of the storm’s path. Such is the case for many of the recipients served by Meals On Wheels of Tampa every day.

Hurricane Preparedness Packs were delivered to all 700 recipients before the hurricane season begins, on Saturday May 21. This pack is given to all program recipients in case a disaster were to occur that prevents volunteers from being able to deliver meals. Included in the packs are 5 shelf-stable meals, a gallon of water, a shelter evaluation form, a whistle, a flashlight, and a variety of emergency resource guides. The pack is free of charge to recipients. This year, a generous grantor provided funding for the Hurricane Preparedness Pack shelf-stable meals, as well as the whistles. HCI Group, Inc. provided the gallons of water and flashlights. Meals On Wheels of Tampa also participated in Give Day Tampa Bay to raise awareness and funds to cover the costs.

For the past 11 years, Meals On Wheels of Tampa has developed a plan for its recipients in the event that a large storm does hit the Tampa Bay area. Just last year, for the first time ever, Meals On Wheels of Tampa residents had to utilize the shelf stable meals from their Hurricane Preparedness Packs due to major flooding in the South Tampa area.

“It’s absolutely wonderful that the Tampa community came together on this year to provide the much needed funding for this project. We are also thrilled that the HCI Group and Moffitt Cancer Center are helping with the delivery to those we serve. We hope our recipients will never be faced with using these items during an actual hurricane, but it’s a comfort to know that they will be prepared in the event that a storm does hit our community,” says Steve King, the Executive Director of Meals On Wheels of Tampa.

Meals On Wheels of Tampa would like to thank the following groups for coming together on Saturday, May 21, to prepare and deliver these packs: HCI Group, Inc., Chubb Insurance, Grow Financial, Health Choice Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center, Suncoast Credit Union, USF, Vaco and the many other committed MOW Tampa volunteers. It is a beautiful way of extending a helping hand to those in need in our community. Hurricane season is June 1st-November 30th each year.

About Meals On Wheels of Tampa:
Meals On Wheels of Tampa has been committed to nourishing and enriching the independent lives of the homebound and seniors of Tampa since 1975. Today, Meals On Wheels of Tampa serves over 700 people with a hot meal during the lunch hour. Meals On Wheels of Tampa relies on its community for support by not accepting government funding and is proud that 85 cents of every dollar donated goes back to feeding and caring for our senior and homebound neighbors.

Interested in volunteering or want to learn more about Meals On Wheels of Tampa? Would you like to start receiving meals or do you know someone in need of home delivered meal service? Please visit www.MOWTampa.org or call (813) 238-8410.