Operation Feed Pasco Exceeds Expectations & Closes with Massive Impact
Land O’ Lakes, FL- United Way of Pasco County (UWPC) in partnership with the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) exceeds expectations with the highly successful, one-of-a-kind, exclusive program to Pasco County, called Operation Feed Pasco (OFP). Spending just over $2.29 Million, UWPC and the BOCC provided over 237,000 meals for individuals and families, over the course of the program.
The purpose of OFP was simple; assist local food pantries and soup kitchens supply food for their clients by utilizing local restaurants in Pasco County. This program was inspired by the increasing number of food insecure people and the increasing number of struggling restaurants.
In May of 2020, Pasco County awarded a $600,00 grant to UWPC to develop and implement a program to help feed people while employing Pasco-based restaurants, event centers, and caterers. What started as a onetime grant and short-term program, turned into a multimillion-dollar operation. UWPC went on to receive 3 additional grants, grew to have 37 partners, and over 20 locations of meal distribution.
“United Way of Pasco County’s mission is to respond to unmet needs in the community,” said United Way of Pasco County President and CEO Charles Anderson. “None could be greater than ensuring our citizens had food during this pandemic. Responding to this challenge required tremendous teamwork and I remain very grateful to my staff team, Board of Directors, participating agencies, local restaurants and especially Pasco County Assistant Administrator Cathy Pearson and the Board of County Commissioners.”
Partner restaurants were made up of all different type of cuisines, ranging from Italian, South American, Soul Food and more. All meals included meat, vegetables, and carbohydrates. Some restaurant partners also included cookies and beverages. Meals also needed to be served hot and on the same day as when they were prepared.
Meals from partner restaurants were served at various non-profit agencies all throughout the county. Agencies included women’s shelters for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, children’s shelter, food ministries and pantries, homeless outreach centers, after school programs for at risk youth, and elderly care centers.
UWPC would like to thank Pasco County Commissioners Mike Moore, Mike Wells, Ron Oakley, Kathryn Starkey, Christina Fitzpatrick, and Jack Mariano, along with County Administrator Dan Biles, Assistant County Administrator Cathy Pearson and the United Way of Pasco County Board for making this program possible. UWPC would also like to thank all the community partners and the volunteers for helping make the program make the most impact.
Agency Partners
ACE Opportunities
ARC Nature Coast
Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay
Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg
First Presbyterian Church
Food and Fellowship
Grace's Food Pantry
Life Church Community Ctr.
Messengers of Hope
Metropolitan Ministries
New Birth Church
One Community Now
Rope Center
Salvation Army
Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills
St. Vincent DePaul
Suncoast Voices for Children
Sunrise of Pasco
Sword and Spoon
Thomas Promise
The Chapel
United Methodist Church
Volunteer Way
Youth and Family Alternatives
Restaurant Partners
Arlisa's Events
Christos's Restaurant
Delicias El Paisa Restaurant Bar & Grill
Down By the Bay Café
Glory Days- Wesley Chapel
Glory Days- Land O' Lakes
Kickin Wingz
Rose’s Bistro of Main
Spartan Manor
Stassi’s Italian Grill
Steph's Southern Soul Restaurant
Toast
Tubby's Q and Smokehouse