This weekend, I joined dozens of volunteers with Feeding Tampa Bay to distribute food to local families. Every Saturday, this location serves about 3,500 members of our community who are dealing with food insecurity. 

What I saw was heartbreaking. Because of the lapse in federal assistance from the CARES Act, there was no milk, no eggs, and no fresh vegetables. I was also reminded that unless Congress gets its act together and passes an extension to the unemployment benefits, the lines are about to get MUCH longer.

Still, we did what we could, and giving thousands of our neighbors boxes of dry food, potatoes, and onions (enough to feed each person in the car for about three days).

Dave, who I worked alongside, has been volunteering in the line (without missing a day) since April. He's retired and told me he's been there because "it's the most important thing he can be doing right now."

I ask you to help support him and everyone at Feeding Tampa Bay this holiday season by helping put food on the table for a local family in need.

Two weeks ago, I visited St Joes Hospital South to see COVID-19 up close from a local ICU ward and ER. My visit with Feeding Tampa Bay today was about continuing to see first-hand the impacts of this pandemic on our local community.

Yesterday, the line for COVID-19 testing at Raymond James Stadium wrapped around the block and past Columbus Avenue. The need is great, the virus is surging, and the time for all of us to come together and defeat this disease is now.

Wear your mask, wash your hands, and take care of each other. We can do this, together.