Food Bank Serves 376 Seniors and 1,300 Students Weekly in Hillsborough County

United Food Bank and Services in Plant City is distributing 1,300 weekend food bags to students every week during the school year. The organization also sends out 1,500 bags during school breaks to support the same population. This effort is part of a dual-pronged strategy to assist two distinct groups facing food insecurity in the area.

The senior-focused initiative, called Feeding Our Legacy, currently registers 376 older adults. Staff visit two off-site locations each month to serve these individuals. One stop is in Bealsville, and the other is at Plant City Towers in downtown Plant City. These routes are designed to help seniors who lack reliable transportation or have difficulty reaching the main facility at 702 E. Alsobrook St.

Mary Heysek, the president and CEO of United Food Bank and Services, stated that the program aims to provide nutritious food and essential household supplies closer to home. She noted that the registration numbers for seniors continue to grow. The organization seeks to help participants maintain their independence and quality of life by reducing the need to choose between food and other essential expenses like medication.

The student-facing program, Feeding Our Future, partners with 26 local schools. This collaboration ensures that students receive food assistance throughout the academic calendar. Beyond K-12 education, the food bank works with two higher education institutions to address hunger on college campuses.

Heysek explained that the organization provides weekly food assistance to approximately 35 students at Hillsborough College. The group also operates an on-site student food pantry at the University of Florida IFAS. This extension allows the food bank to support students who live outside the immediate Plant City community.

The organization is now seeking new partnerships in the Valrico, Brandon, and Lithia areas. The goal is to extend its reach to families and individuals who cannot travel to the Plant City location. Heysek said the food bank is looking to work with local organizations to place support closer to where residents live as the community grows.

Contact information for the organization is available at 813-764-0265 or through the website ufbpc.org. The office remains open at its Plant City address for those seeking further details on the services provided to seniors and students.