Tampa Bay Rays ‘takeover’ food bank, free bistro

Over 500 people recently received Thanksgiving dinners and hot meals from the Tampa Bay Rays. 

Nearly 40 staff members volunteered to participate in the Nov. 19 Rays Thanksgiving Takeover at Feeding Tampa Bay’s Causeway Center and The Bistro. The massive new 215,000-square-foot facility serves as a centralized hub for the nonprofit’s regional food distribution operations.

The Rays are now the first organization to sponsor a “full takeover” of the food bank, market and restaurant at 3624 Causeway Blvd. in Tampa. Jenn Tran, the team’s chief people officer, noted that “volunteerism is core to our DNA.” 

“During the holiday season, we all just want to come together and give back in the most meaningful way possible,” Tran said. “We’ve had a longstanding partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay – they are doing incredible work in the community to make sure our friends and neighbors have what they need to feed their families.” 

Feeding Tampa Bay provided 87 million meals in 2024. That number could increase to 150 million annually thanks to the $60 million facility.

Over 400 local charities and food pantries partner with Feeding Tampa Bay to distribute groceries. One in four Tampa Bay children suffers from food insecurity. 

CEO Thomas Mantz said the state-of-the-art facility, which opened in May 2024, has helped Feeding Tampa Bay “grow our mission dramatically.” He said the nonprofit is “able to do what we do because partners like the Rays step in and make that possible.” 

Tampa Bay Rays mascot Raymond welcomed community members to the free market and bistro.

Rays volunteers worked in shifts at the center for nine hours. They helped select and package groceries, assisted recipients to their cars, directed traffic, stocked food and checked for quality issues at the facility’s free market. 

Participants also staffed The Bistro for a day, serving food, cleaning tables, working in the kitchen and completing other restaurant tasks. Guests can receive a free hot meal, pay what they can or “pay it forward” to the next diner. 

“When I say ‘takeover,’ it’s a total takeover,” Mantz said. “People really want to have a great Thanksgiving. It’s a holiday that is uniquely American – we all enjoy it. It’s important to sit around a table and enjoy those you love. The Rays are making that possible for a whole lot of families.” 

He noted that the market offers “good, fresh and healthy items,” including pet food and personal care products. People select what they like and have a “dignified shopping experience.” 

Mantz said The Bistro provides “the same thing.” Diners receive a “terrifically prepared” sit-down meal, often with “friends you don’t know yet.” 

Guests at The Bistro receive a nutritious, hot sit-down meal served by volunteer wait staff.

The Rays have partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay for over 20 years. Tran called the nonprofit the “perfect partner in this space to make sure that our community has what they need to feed their families and take care of their loved ones.” 

“We find that to be an incredibly important cause within our community, and something that’s ongoing,” Tran added. “They are trusted partners … who do this incredible work.” 

That “incredible work” includes school food assistance programs, a food prescription initiative, a mobile grocery store, providing disaster relief, neighborhood services, workforce training, nutrition education and research to combat food insecurity. 

“We couldn’t do this work without our staff, and they’re so energized by all of our volunteer opportunities throughout the year,” Tran said. “Around the holidays, I think we all feel a little bit greater sense of devotion to that.” 

The Rays Baseball Foundation sponsored the Thanksgiving meal giveaway. Tran noted that the team also offers staff paid time off to serve their communities, whether at their child’s school or at a project planned by the community outreach department. 

Feeding Tampa Bay is among the local organizations leading efforts to mitigate the effects of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Nearly 97,000 Pinellas County residents rely on federal food benefits to afford groceries. 

While the 43-day shutdown ended Nov. 12, Mantz recently told WUSF that he expects an acute local food shortage to continue for three months. Feeding Tampa Bay’s website notes that 98% of all donations go directly to assistance programs. 

At the Rays Thanksgiving Takeover, Mantz said the Causeway Center has allowed the nonprofit to increase services for previous clients and welcome people “new to our care.” The “terrific” new facility has advanced the “way in which we look after folks significantly.” 

“It has been inspirational to us as an organization,” Mantz said of the center.