A new no cost grocery store, Tampa Bay Harvest, recently opened in Tampa.
Designed not only for those who may be unemployed and cannot afford groceries, it is also designed to cater to those who can. It is very much like a standard grocery store where one can purchase breads, meats, and produce. It is the first grocery store of its kind in the country.
Tampa Bay Harvest is stocked with sale dated, leftover, and quality food items from restaurants, local supermarkets and many other food-related businesses which are gathered by a network of volunteers. These items are made available directly to the citizens in the community. Flyer printing can be used so that customers of such stores can be made aware of any special available items.
The founders of Tampa Bay Harvest are Pastors Sixto and Susan Ward. So far, the store has fed 1,200 families a month. Pastor Sixto commented that the customers in the store need to be treated with dignity so they do not feel like they are being given a handout.
While the organization provides quality food items to over 200 other organizations in the Tampa Bay area, Pastor Sixto has plans to expand the concept of Tampa Bay Harvest to other states.
Hours of operation of Tampa Bay Harvest are from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
