In advance of Super Bowl LV, the NFL Foundation is making a $250,000 donation to Feeding Tampa Bay (FTB) to combat food insecurity in the region, an issue that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. The donation will assist Feeding Tampa Bay in their efforts to support local restaurants that have been significantly affected by COVID-19. In addition, the NFL and Feeding Tampa Bay will launch a volunteer sweepstakes to encourage local residents to sign up to volunteer with FTB to help fight hunger within their community.

“Each year we look for meaningful ways to give back to our Super Bowl host city,” said Anna Isaacson, SVP of Social Responsibility, NFL. “The past year has been unlike any other and we want to assist those who have been greatly impacted by the ongoing pandemic. We are hopeful that we will be able to help the restaurant industry and those facing food insecurity in the Tampa Bay area through the ‘Huddle to Tackle Hunger’ and that our efforts will leave a lasting impact on the community long after Super Bowl Sunday.”  

Many local restaurants continue to suffer a tremendous hardship from the impact of COVID-19.  The NFL Foundation’s $250,000 donation will help to provide financial support (through Feeding Tampa Bay) to the dining establishments, and in turn they can continue to generate revenue, employ their workers, and provide meals to those in need.

The restaurants selected to participate in ‘Huddle to Tackle Hunger’ were recommended by the NFL’s  Super Bowl LV Business Connect program, which works proactively to create opportunities for experienced, diverse, and certified local small business owners to compete for contract opportunities related to NFL signature events such as Super Bowl. The donation will help to expand FTB’s current food distribution program expanding the number of meals available, participating restaurants and delivery timeframes.

In conjunction with the donation, the NFL also launched a volunteer-based sweepstakes for the opportunity to attend Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7. The sweepstakes will run through Wednesday, Feb. 3 and is open only to those in the Tampa Bay area.

During this timeframe, volunteers can sign up to volunteer with Feeding Tampa Bay, filling a critical need for help to safely continue feeding the community. Volunteer needs range from food packing and sorting to distribution in their Trinity Cafes and remote locations around the Tampa Bay area.

During the week leading up to Super Bowl LV, the NFL will host two events with Feeding Tampa Bay.

For more information on ‘Huddle to Tackle Hunger’ please visit: http://www.tacklehungertampabay.com/

About the NFL Foundation:

The National Football League Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football, and the communities that support our game. For more information on the NFL Foundation, visit: www.NFLFoundation.org.

About Feeding Tampa Bay:

As one of the nation’s top hunger relief organizations, Feeding Tampa Bay is ending hunger by fueling human potential in every family, child and senior across our 10-county region. By leveraging the daily connection around a meal, the organization is evolving its partnerships, programs and services with a goal to break down barriers and create long-term health and capability in the lives of the individuals it serves. In response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Feeding Tampa Bay evolved its services by almost doubling its reach to serve 2 million meals weekly, and anticipates it will serve up to 86 million meals this year.  Today, Feeding Tampa Bay and its community stand together to lift the families we serve, because food makes tomorrow possible.

About Business Connect:

The Business Connect program is the NFL’s supplier diversity initiative designed to promote equitable and inclusive procurement practices by creating contract opportunities between Business Connects’ experienced, event-ready suppliers and League vendors for NFL events. Business Connect is committed to supporting its member companies through professional development workshops, building strong community relationships and fostering economic growth in NFL event markets. It is the commitment of Business Connect to help shape the forward action required to Inspire Change.

COURTESY NFLmedia.com