TECO, Meals on Wheels partner to get seniors storm ready

Last weekend, volunteers delivered over 1,000 hurricane preparedness packs to at-risk members of the Tampa Bay area community, improving their readiness for storm season.

Tampa Electric partnered with Meals On Wheels to assemble and deliver the hurricane packs, which contain five shelf-stable meals, bottled water, a battery-operated lantern, a disaster preparedness guide and shelter information.

Having a storm preparedness plan is paramount in Florida. However, many older adults and people who are confined to their homes due to disabilities face challenges in establishing a plan and gathering the necessary supplies. For these individuals, hurricane packs are a vital resource and provide peace of mind if a normal meal delivery cannot be made due to a storm.

Since 2007, Meals On Wheels of Tampa has been helping fill this need. Every year in June, the organization provides shelf-stable meals, water and shelter information to those who are part of the program.

State Rep. Susan Valdés toured the Meals On Wheels facility and helped package the hurricane preparedness packs. “With help from Tampa Electric and Meals on Wheels, hundreds of households in our community are now stocked up with essentials and prepared to face severe weather,” said Valdes. “It’s incredible to see our community work together and support one another even before disaster strikes.”

“A special thank you to TECO Energy for generously sponsoring this program and strengthening our community by providing for those who cannot provide for themselves during a storm,” Meals On Wheels posted on social media.

This initiative drew volunteers from Tampa Electric, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union, Elevation Church, TCM Bank, N.A., Cogent Bank, and MGM Electric Ltd.

“Thank you, volunteers, for making this project a success; we couldn’t do it without you,” said Meals On Wheels.

Tampa Electric is proud to be part of this much-appreciated and potentially life-saving annual service event in our community.