Mosaic Teams Up with Tampa Bay Rays to Tackle Food Insecurity Through ‘Runs for Food’ Initiative

TAMPA, Fla. — At ABC7, we’re committed to tackling hunger and food insecurity in the Suncoast area. We partner with local organizations like All Faith’s Food Bank and Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee to make a difference.

This week, The Mosaic Company is also stepping up to help. They’ve teamed up with the Tampa Bay Rays for a special program aimed at fighting food insecurity. Rays outfielder Jake Mangum and the team mascot, Raymond, are joining this important cause. Mangum expressed his enthusiasm, saying it’s refreshing to give back to a community that supports them. “Any time you can give back, you really want to do it,” he said.

The initiative, called Runs for Food, works like this: for every home run a Rays player hits at a home game, Mosaic donates $500 to five local Meals on Wheels organizations. Meals on Wheels of Manatee is one of the lucky recipients. Phil Bauer, senior vice president of Mosaic, shared the excitement: “What better way to celebrate a successful sports team than by scoring? They’re hitting home runs, and we’re scoring for our community.”

Recently, meals were distributed on Mosaic Cares Day, reaching elderly, homebound, and disabled residents. Bauer pointed out that Meals on Wheels has its own kitchen where they prepare the food.

Mangum sees this partnership as a blessing. He believes the Rays stand for more than just baseball. “Yes, we want to score runs to win games, but at the end of the day, it’s just a game. What we’re doing is much bigger,” he said.

Coming up this Friday, September 19, there will be a Mosaic-sponsored Rays game against the Boston Red Sox at Steinbrenner Field. It’s a chance to enjoy baseball while helping those in need.

The Bigger Picture on Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is a growing issue across the U.S. Recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that approximately 10.5% of American households were food insecure at some point in 2021. This number can be even higher in certain communities. Initiatives like Runs for Food highlight the importance of community engagement in addressing such critical issues.

According to the World Food Programme, community-based support systems are vital in the fight against hunger. They provide immediate aid and create long-term solutions to increase food access. The vibrant partnership between businesses, athletes, and local organizations exemplifies how collective efforts can make a significant impact.

As social media users share their support using hashtags related to these initiatives, it emphasizes how community-focused actions resonate with many. It’s clear that coming together can foster change in our communities, bringing hope to those in need.

For more information on the issue of food insecurity and community efforts, you can check resources like the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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