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Feeding Tampa Bay says new $60 million facility expanded reach; commissioners debate funding and CEO pay
Summary
Feeding Tampa Bay reported it will exceed 100 million meals this year and highlighted school pantries, job training and disaster response; commissioners applauded the work while raising questions about public funding and executive compensation.
Feeding Tampa Bay President and CEO Thomas Mance told the Hillsborough County Board on June 4 that the food bank’s new $60 million facility has expanded operations and community services, allowing the organization to expect more than 100 million meals provided this year and to house neighborhood services, job training and disaster-response capacity.
"Our facility has exceeded our expectations," Mance said, noting the campus serves a 10-county catchment and that neighborhood services visitors exceeded 10,000 in the first year. He said Hillsborough County alone received about 30 million meals last year through the food bank and that 40 school pantries operate inside Hillsborough schools.
Commissioners praised the work but questioned funding and governance. Commissioner Chris Bowles criticized the nonprofit’s apparent reliance on public funds and questioned executive pay, saying some non‑profit CEOs he reviewed have total compensation he found concerning. "Do you agree?" Bowles asked. Mance said most revenue is charitable and corporate philanthropy, that federal funding primarily reflects contract fees for distribution of federal commodity programs, and that board-set compensation is public record.
Commissioner Harry Cohen called the organization’s work during COVID and its current services "a tremendous community asset." Commissioner Gwen Myers highlighted school pantry metrics — Feeding Tampa Bay reported 7,976,369 meals provided to students in the 2023–24 school year — and thanked the organization for partnerships delivering food into high-need neighborhoods.
The board received the report by motion of Commissioner Myers, seconded by Commissioner Chris Bowles; the motion to receive the report passed 6-0. Commissioners asked staff to continue oversight of funding sources and partnerships; Feeding Tampa Bay invited commissioners to visit the facility.
