The Tampa Bay Rays are committed to serving the community, and they proved that once again ahead of the holidays.
It is the season of giving, and the Tampa Bay Rays are taking it very seriously.
Recently, the Rays organization made sure over 500 people received Thanksgiving dinners and hot meals, according to Mark Parker of the St. Pete Catalyst. With the holidays just days away, the Rays made sure they extended a helping hand to the community.
“Volunteerism is core to our DNA,” said Jenn Tran, the team’s chief people officer.
“During the holiday season, we all just want to come together and give back in the most meaningful way possible,” Tran told the news outlet. “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.”
The article states that “nearly 40 staff members volunteered to participate in the Nov. 19 Rays Thanksgiving Takeover at Feeding Tampa Bay’s Causeway Center and The Bistro.” It is a new 215,000 square-foot facility that serves as the central hub for regional food distribution operations.
The Rays sponsored a “full takeover” of the food bank, market and restaurant. Making them the first team to do so.
Feeding Tampa Bay has been integral for the community. In 2024, it provided 87 million meals. This year, that number may increase to 150 million.
CEO Thomas Mantz said the new facility helped the organization grow its mission dramatically, and he also credited the Rays for their assistance, telling St. Pete Catalyst the nonprofit is “able to do what we do because partners like the Rays step in and make that possible.”
Volunteers of the Rays committed to the process in shifts that lasted nine hours, undertaking various responsibilities that included selecting and package groceries, assisted recipients to their cars, directed traffic, stocked food and checked for quality issues at the facility’s free market.
“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.”
It is a partnership that has existed with the Rays for over 20 years and continues to impact the community in a positive way.
“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.”